Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection of secondary conditions to his right knee osteoarthritis were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's tension headache disorder is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The skin disorders of the feet and ankles, including chloracne, are not service-connected.

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

The Veteran's left foot disability, including a left ankle sprain, hammertoe, and pes planus, is being remanded for further development to determine if the condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination. The claims will be considered together as they are closely related.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, left shoulder strain, and residuals of a fracture to the right little toe were granted. Service connection was also established for dry eye syndrome and bilateral eye disability (glaucoma). The Veteran's left ankle disability and associated scars are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry regarding his claims to service connection for a bilateral foot/ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as chronic sinus tarsi syndrome, is causally related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's arthritis of the right hand, left hand, right ankle, and left ankle had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a higher rating of 30 percent for this period.

The Veteran's left ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not cause marked limitation of motion. The current 10% rating adequately reflects her condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a left shoulder injury, low back strain with degenerative joint disease, right shoulder injury, left ankle injury, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, are currently evaluated at their maximum assigned ratings. The Board finds no basis to grant increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 30 percent since October 2007, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to November 22, 2013.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examinations and remands the case for further examination and opinion.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and liver abnormality, finding no evidence to support these claims.