Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability is currently assigned a 20 percent rating, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claims, including obtaining relevant medical records.

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

The Veteran's right knee ACL repair residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective June 18, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent were met due to frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA clinical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, nose injury, and eye injury. The appeal is based on his active duty from November 1976 to April 1980.

The Veteran's left ankle osteochondritis dessicans was manifested by complaints of chronic pain, weakness, and instability before January 14, 2013. From January 14, 2013, the disability has been characterized by marked limitation of motion without ankylosis. The Board denied a higher rating for both periods.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of exposure to chemicals and respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, sinus, shortness of breath, cough, including as due to herbicide and asbestos exposure. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle disability has been granted, with the effective date set at February 21, 1956. The higher initial rating and service connection claims for right knee total arthroplasty are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, non-compensable service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating based on limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as ankylosis has not been demonstrated.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right ankle condition. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA and private medical records, the Board finds no current right ankle condition related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is found to be due to a known clinical diagnosis of bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and service connection is granted.,There are no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness for the residuals of heat exhaustion. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scar residual of the right knee area.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, and hypertension were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran does not have moderate limitation of motion in his ankles or any significant pulmonary symptoms related to sarcoidosis. His hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her claimed left ankle disorder, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition. The issues were remanded due to inadequate examination in June 2010.

The Board has determined that there are no current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, lower back disorder, peripheral neuropathy, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder. As such, service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left ankle disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to establish aggravation of his pre-existing condition during active duty.