Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left ankle arthroplasty with residual scars is rated at 40 percent, effective from September 1, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate explanation of reasons and bases for denying service connection for knee and ankle conditions, claimed as secondary to service-connected pes planus. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left leg disability.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability and the evidence does not support service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, diagnosed as post calcaneal bursitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the Marine Reserve and a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture with right split tear of the peroneus brevis, status post ankle surgery with residual scar is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right ankle deltoid ligament strain, and left ankle strain have been rated based on their current manifestations. The RO has granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder. The reopened claim is being remanded for further development.,Service connection for a spine disorder, as well as an osteopenic bone density disorder, will be denied due to lack of aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran died of a myocardial infarction. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not cause, hasten, or substantially contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a psychiatric and ankle examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, depression, and bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disorders are under consideration.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and left ankle sprain with DJD are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and cervical spine strain claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via videoconference. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration records and medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are currently rated as 10% disabling each, with no evidence of marked limitation of motion. The current evaluations are consistent with moderate limited motion.

The Veteran's current left ankle arthritis was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and right knee disability, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from pneumonia. Other conditions such as COPD, diabetes mellitus, smoking-related issues, and pre-existing pneumonia were also contributing factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle DJD is related to active service and grants her claim for service connection.