Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities resulted in some limitations of motion and instability, but the Veteran had a normal gait and was able to work as a policeman with use of ankle braces prior to September 10, 2008. From September 10, 2008 to April 2009, the right ankle disability resulted in marked limitation of motion and instability requiring evaluation and assistive devices, but not warranting an increased rating. The left ankle disability from September 10, 2008 to March 10, 2011 also resulted in marked limitation of motion and instability, but no more than marked limitation of motion was met.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and right ankle disability, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and a review of his claims file to determine the current severity of his right ankle disability, as well as whether he has a current hearing loss disability and tinnitus associated with military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and diabetes mellitus, type I. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered sufficient to establish service connection as his conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an examination regarding wear and tear on clothing caused by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder manifested by numbness and recurrent spasms, but denied service connection for the same condition manifested by recurrent sprains. The left ankle symptoms are found to be proximately due to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include evaluations for circadian rhythm sleep disorder, right ankle osteoarthritis, and a right ankle scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and OPM records, and scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, to include a left lower extremity nerve disability, a neck disability, a knee disability, a shoulder disability, an ankle disability, or a hip disability, that is related to his service.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder has been rated at 40 percent since June 30, 2005 to September 13, 2013. The left ankle disorder claim is pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in active duty service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and undiagnosed illness-related claims, including for various musculoskeletal issues, tinnitus, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and psychiatric conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and authorize VA access to private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right ankle condition, including whether it is secondary to service-connected right knee internal derangement with instability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, throat cancer due to smoking, gout involving the left great toe and ankles, a bilateral ankle disability other than gout, calcaneal bone spur of the right foot, and a left foot disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records, particularly related to his left ankle disability.

The Veteran is seeking educational benefits under Chapter 30, but the RO determined he was ineligible. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain his complete service records and determine if any exceptions apply.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip bursitis and bilateral knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, were granted effective March 3, 2011.