Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, an effective date assignment, and service connection for various conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding treatment records from Waycross Orthopedics and to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right ankle disability and right leg GSW residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA and private medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for chronic right ankle strain and chronic lumbar strain have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the left foot, prostate cancer, and right knee disability have been denied. Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and left ankle, but initial ratings were not assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from these injuries. The presumptions applicable to National Guard service do not apply in this case.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disability that is related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his right ankle fracture did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders in October 2004, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.,The claim to reopen the right ankle disorder was denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the feet, ankles and knees as there is no competent evidence to support a current diagnosis or etiology of such conditions. The claim for SMC was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disorder, osteopenic bone density disorder, spine disorder, and increased rating for IBS and GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, ankle, and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they were neither incurred nor aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from private physicians. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's residuals of injury to the left foot and ankle disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 28, 2012. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence linking the appellant's current right ankle and low back disabilities to his service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability and finds that new evidence received since the last final denial is sufficient to reopen the claim. The issue remains on appeal as the Board does not have enough information to determine if there is a nexus between the current right ankle disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability and whether it is directly related to service. A VA examination is needed.