Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 11, 2010 and increased to 20 percent effective from May 11, 2010. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle, hip, and knee disabilities are not causally or etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic bilateral ankle or shin disability that was incurred in service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that any current right ankle disability is related to her military service, and there is no indication of a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and unobtained Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The RO/AMC will also attempt to schedule a hearing for the Veteran at a VA facility closer to her home.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records, as well as obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chronic left lateral ankle instability, post-operative is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his right leg disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and determining if extraschedular ratings are warranted for his ankle disabilities. His claim for an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder will be deferred pending a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was incurred during active military service. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a left ankle sprain is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right wrist disability at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence was not in equipoise and did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by degenerative changes and pain with limited motion, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and shin splints, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her period of active duty for training.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder remains pending and will be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right ankle injury residuals do not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the current existence and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran was awarded a 30 percent evaluation for tinea versicolor effective October 12, 2006. The effective date of the award of additional compensation for his dependent spouse is September 18, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sprain, right ankle is still pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability were granted initial ratings of 10% prior to September 14, 2011. From June 15, 2011 to August 25, 2012, the Veteran was granted a higher rating of 20%. The right knee disability received an initial rating of 10%, effective July 31, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.