Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the lack of notice regarding an earlier scheduled hearing. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disorder related to service, but the Veteran's left ankle condition was granted. The decision is mixed as it grants one issue and denies another.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his active military service due to ischemic heart disease, which was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the ischemic heart disease contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's left ankle disability, right fibula fracture, low back disability, and left knee disability. The claims will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a VA examination to address service connection claims for residuals of a fractured cheek bone, broken nose, and sprained ankle. The appellant's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) are relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for VA examinations and determine the current severity of his service-connected pes planus, as well as whether his right ankle sprain is related to service. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination to address service connection claims for left knee and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by symptoms of pain, stiffness, weakness, and mild limitation of motion caused by pain on motion. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating of 10 percent have been met.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a visual disorder, right ankle sprain, and bilateral hearing loss. However, it is unable to grant these claims as new evidence does not establish that current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle condition and neuralgia due to maxillary expansion surgery are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the acquisition of additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for right wrist, left ankle, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee disabilities, render him unemployable due to their impact on his ability to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran can secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right ankle and right wrist disabilities, but denied service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on VA audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder are being remanded due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of his current conditions. Additional information regarding in-service paratrooping activities is needed.