Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left ankle strain is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal related to this issue.,The effective date of the 60 percent disability rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine is set at July 12, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating for a foot injury with loss of use. The temporary total rating beyond April 1, 2014, was denied.

The Veteran's GERD with gastritis and hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent, effective September 8, 2015. The Veteran's left ankle fracture is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot/ankle condition is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The claims file will be reviewed, additional records obtained, and an appropriate VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's left ankle and nerve disabilities have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since December 2011, prior to his January 9, 2012 surgery. After this date, he is entitled to a higher disability rating based on loss of use of the left foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current eye disability and ankle disability are related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability, as his current condition is not related to an in-service injury. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a nexus between the Veteran's current arthritis and his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was initially rated at 10% prior to April 2010 and increased to 20% thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating before April 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, ankle condition, and skin disorder. The VA will also obtain any outstanding treatment records and provide a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bowel disorder, right eye disorder, deviated septum, skin disorder, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral ankle disability, dry eye syndrome, neck disability, and traumatic brain disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected right ankle disability and whether he has an impairment of the tibia and fibula. The case will be re-adjudicated after this.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities. This includes obtaining a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, particularly regarding her cervical spine, bilateral ankle, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying periods of active duty training.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability did not arise during service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service. The claim for low back disability is pending as there was no diagnosis provided in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability did not arise during service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service. The claim for low back disability is pending as there was no diagnosis provided in this decision.