Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and left ankle/foot disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU, as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by limitation of motion and pain without ankylosis, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms are already adequately addressed within the current 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right ankle, and back disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's right ankle posttraumatic arthritis and strain are related to his active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his National Guard service and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right foot and toe numbness is proximately due to or the result of surgical treatment for a service-connected right ankle disability. The Board finds that service connection for right foot and toe numbness, secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability, is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, previously rated as 10 percent for fracture with degenerative arthritis, is now rated at 10 percent effective August 10, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities resulted in some limitations of motion and instability, but the Veteran had a normal gait and was able to work as a policeman with use of ankle braces prior to September 10, 2008. From September 10, 2008 to April 2009, the right ankle disability resulted in marked limitation of motion and instability requiring evaluation and assistive devices, but not warranting an increased rating. The left ankle disability from September 10, 2008 to March 10, 2011 also resulted in marked limitation of motion and instability, but no more than marked limitation of motion was met.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and right ankle disability, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and a review of his claims file to determine the current severity of his right ankle disability, as well as whether he has a current hearing loss disability and tinnitus associated with military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and diabetes mellitus, type I. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered sufficient to establish service connection as his conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an examination regarding wear and tear on clothing caused by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder manifested by numbness and recurrent spasms, but denied service connection for the same condition manifested by recurrent sprains. The left ankle symptoms are found to be proximately due to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include evaluations for circadian rhythm sleep disorder, right ankle osteoarthritis, and a right ankle scar.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and OPM records, and scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, to include a left lower extremity nerve disability, a neck disability, a knee disability, a shoulder disability, an ankle disability, or a hip disability, that is related to his service.