Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private and VA treatment records, scheduling a new examination, and adjudicating the claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 24, 2013. The Veteran's post-phlebitic syndrome in his left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals, service connection for left knee and low back disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 1, 2013, or a 20 percent evaluation after March 1, 2013 for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals. Service connection was also denied for left knee and low back disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted and issues needing clarification.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and as such the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied all of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability with traumatic arthritis and calcification of the Achilles tendon is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately considers his functional losses as per VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease disability and assigned a 100 percent rating effective May 7, 2013. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability, which resulted in moderate limitation of motion, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disability and lumbar spine disability were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's left foot and ankle disorder has been granted an initial 20 percent rating, with the appeal being remanded for further development regarding whether a higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claims for service connection of PTSD/psychosis, bilateral knee disorder, and back disorder were all denied as new evidence did not reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability with recurrent sprains and DJD, is granted as service connected. The other conditions are not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, but denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion and no other compensable factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar disc disease and chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative residuals of left ankle surgery (left ankle disability), a compensable rating prior to September 20, 2013 and 20 percent thereafter, for left foot numbness, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a dog bite, left ankle condition, head injury, PTSD, and schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral ankle disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea.