Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated according to the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The hypertension has been assigned a 10 percent rating, and the right and left ankle disabilities have each been assigned a 20 percent rating. The PTSD and MDD have been assigned a 30 percent rating effective July 28, 2015.

The Veteran's right ankle impairment has not met the criteria for a higher rating since October 6, 2010. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right ankle is found to be related to his service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional treatment records.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address whether his leg length discrepancy and right knee disability are related and if so, whether they cause or aggravate his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing on all issues, including service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle strain disability is considered service-connected. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD with anxiety disorder and major depression, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating but not higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis in either ankle, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the claims and they are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise shown to be etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, lumbosacral spine, and left foot drop have been denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the left fifth hammertoe remains pending.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, knees, ankles, and feet was granted service connection based on its relationship to his service-connected rheumatic valvular heart disease. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal all issues related to increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and arranging an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or impairment of the tibia and fibula with nonunion or malunion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in current disability. The sinus disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.