Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial rating for right ankle osteoarthritis was denied, but he was granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis, arthritis, or instability.,The Veteran's external hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle post fusion and degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent for the left ankle and 20 percent for the left knee.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and her service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosed knee and ankle disabilities to his active service or reserve duty, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to November 27, 2012, and increased to 10 percent from that date. The current rating is considered appropriate given the presence of pain and stiffness without significant limitation in motion or ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, but the issues of left and right ankle disabilities are remanded as they involve new evidence not previously considered.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral ankle disability, as well as whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability. A social and industrial survey will also be conducted to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the requested VA examinations. The issues include secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent since July 7, 1999. Effective August 31, 2011, the rating for this condition was increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to insufficient consideration of new evidence and a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending again.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder and granted it on a secondary basis to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's current diagnosed left side anterior tendonitis tibialis, osteochondritis, and degenerative joint disease are found to be causally related to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

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