Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right ankles were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disorder did not manifest during his period of service and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The VA has not provided a rating in excess of the current assigned disability ratings.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, right knee with degenerative changes, and left knee conditions do not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claim for an increased rating for left ankle degenerative changes was not granted, and service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes (claimed as neck condition), right shoulder rotator cuff tear (claimed as right shoulder condition), and thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc disease/degenerative changes (claimed as back condition) were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee sprain and found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability was first received on June 4, 2009. The effective date for this service connection is set at June 4, 2009. However, the Veteran contends that his initial rating of 10 percent for his left ankle disability is inadequate and requests a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a current evaluation of his feasibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis and hallux valgus of the left foot are service-connected, with no disputes regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right hip, left hip and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened. Service connection is granted for spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was upheld for the left ankle disability, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other manifestations warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has not yet issued a statement of the case on the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disability, sinus disability, and right shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The effective date of these decisions is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, headache disability, and sleep apnea are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and persists to this day, granting service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and left wrist strain did not initially manifest during service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle sprain was denied. His claim for service connection for a sinus condition is pending and has been REMANDED. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, manifested by marked limitation of motion, is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on her right ankle disability claim.