Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations of his feet and ankles as well as his sinuses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities have been granted in a May 2012 rating decision. The appeals are dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues listed on the title page of this decision, indicating he now understands the VA system and wishes to withdraw these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled hearing, and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture has been rated at 10 percent since May 1970. The VA examiner found the condition to be slight, with no moderate disability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and reopening of service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for the scar, status post appendectomy was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for left ankle tendon injury and back disability were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting marked limitation of motion with pain, swelling, instability, and use of assistive devices.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a separate 20 percent rating is warranted based on malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate ankle disability (Diagnostic Code 5262).

The Veteran's osteoarthrrtis and gout of the first MTPPJ space of the right and left foot, hallux valgus of the right and left foot, bilateral pes planus with bunions and status post plantar fasciitis, and gout, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle are all rated as 20 percent for osteoarthrrtis and gout of the first MTPPJ space of the right and left foot. The Veteran's hallux valgus, bilateral pes planus with bunions and status post plantar fasciitis, and gout, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle are all rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's current mild right foot/ankle disability is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back, bilateral hip, left ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right ankle injury, which may be associated with an in-service event. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service.,There is no evidence of a current right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for allergic rhinitis and a right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain is manifested by intermittent pain, stiffness, weakness, and swelling. The VA has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hand, foot, ankle, leg, and tarsal tunnel disorders are related to his period of active service.