Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by marked limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle, but denied service connection for a left hand disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's participation in recovery and cleanup efforts during his active duty service is a stressor related to his PTSD. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen prior claims for various conditions, as well as entitlement to increased disability ratings, are remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Decision Review Officer hearing, and will be reviewed on the basis of additional evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 25, 2012 and at 30 percent since then. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for the left ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, bilateral hip and back disabilities have been attributed to his service-connected status post triple arthrodesis/correction of hammertoes due to deformity of the right foot operated. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination related to his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and scheduling him for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his left ankle.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the PTSD claim. The right ankle and knee disability claims were denied, as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim, and there is no causal relationship between service and these disabilities. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ankle sprain with arthralgia. The Board found that these conditions precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial rating for right ankle osteoarthritis was denied, but he was granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis, arthritis, or instability.,The Veteran's external hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle post fusion and degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent for the left ankle and 20 percent for the left knee.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and her service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosed knee and ankle disabilities to his active service or reserve duty, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to November 27, 2012, and increased to 10 percent from that date. The current rating is considered appropriate given the presence of pain and stiffness without significant limitation in motion or ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, but the issues of left and right ankle disabilities are remanded as they involve new evidence not previously considered.