Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is caused by his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right tibia stress fracture, bilateral hip bursitis and arthritis, bilateral knee conditions (including meniscus pathology, medial collateral ligament laxity, and traumatic arthritis), and bilateral ankle arthritis as secondary to his service-connected intermittent compartment syndrome of the right leg.,The appeal regarding a foot condition is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings related to various joint disabilities, including arthritis and gout. The case is being remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's lymphedema with cellulitis of the lower extremities is found to be incurred in service, while his right ankle fracture residuals are denied. The Veteran remains entitled to a 30% evaluation for depressive disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all remaining issues, including those related to service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination and requests that an addendum be provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle arthritis is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following all substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining service treatment records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and bilateral ankle and foot conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthrosis due to reconstructive surgery is rated at 30 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion. The Board finds that his symptoms more nearly approximate ankylosis of the left ankle, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing. The claims of service connection and increased rating remain in an unresolved state.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 22, 2009. The rating for his right knee disability remains at 10 percent. His right ankle surgical scars are rated as compensable (10 percent) since April 14, 2014. A noncompensable rating is assigned for his left ankle disability and a 10 percent rating is assigned for his bilateral hydroceles/varicoceles.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claims for service connection and TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board only if he perfects his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's neuroma of the cutaneous nerve of the left ankle is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on severe neuritis, severe incomplete paralysis, or complete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal as to this issue.