Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a vocational rehabilitation examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and unclear diagnoses. The issues of service connection for left big toe, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the residuals of left ankle surgery has been granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating for a painful left ankle scar has also been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disabilities did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected based on direct evidence or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, with symptoms of intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unemployable. The case is REMANDED for a comprehensive examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle instability were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, lichen simplex chronicus, and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle were denied. The current ratings for these conditions are 30 percent for PTSD, 30 percent for lichen simplex chronicus, and 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since October 2008. The Board has granted increased ratings to 20 percent for both ankles, effective from October 2008. However, the claim of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending and must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The appellant's right ankle and left knee disabilities may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records from the Social Security Administration and incomplete service personnel records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are primarily manifested by symptoms of pain, swelling, weakness, and flareups resulting in moderately limited motion. The claims for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and temporary total evaluations due to his right ankle surgeries have been granted. The initial evaluation for the right ankle sprain remains at 20%.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.