Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions, as secondary to a bilateral knee disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deformity, congenital, right foot and ankle, pes planus, and residuals of cold weather, bilateral feet were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability or establish a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as due to exposure to jet fuel, is denied. The claim for reopening of residuals of a left ankle injury was also denied.

The Veteran's use of VA-issued forearm crutches for the year 2014 is sufficient to warrant a clothing allowance due to their consistent wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of displaced fracture of right ankle (distal fibula) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent. The ratings for his bilateral ankle sprains with osteoarthritis have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, rheumatoid arthritis, swelling under the arms and of the neck, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle condition has been granted, and the effective date of service connection is set at November 6, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's left knee replacement received a one-year evaluation of 100 percent following the revision surgery on October 20, 2005. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis left foot injury and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle are rated at their maximum under VA rating criteria, with no additional issues regarding service connection or TDIU.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 30, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of marked limitation of motion in the right ankle prior to January 30, 2013, but does show marked limitation of motion as of that date. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an increase in his disability ratings for his right ankle disability is denied.

The Board is unable to determine whether new and material evidence has been received at the present time due to outstanding VA treatment records not associated with the claims file. The basis of the RO's June 2008 denial of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis, in part, was that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, schedule a new examination, and ensure compliance with all directives.

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

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back disability, heart condition (hypertension), diabetes type II, and Parkinsonism. The Veteran's private physician provided opinions linking these conditions to his military service. However, dyslipidemia is not a qualifying disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted with respect to his right ankle pain. The bone cyst is also not related to military service as there was no prior medical evidence of its existence before 2008.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder are all found to be related to service. The lumbar degenerative joint disease, myofascial cervical syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability, and right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability have been granted initial compensable ratings.