Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues on appeal include service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board has restored the 40% disability rating for low back strain, effective from November 1, 2009. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The conditions claimed, including tinea pedis with folliculitis and bilateral pes planus, were not found to warrant higher initial disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 3, 2005. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show more than moderate limited motion of the left ankle.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture and right ankle sprain is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service for any of the claimed conditions, and thus denied all claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral venous insufficiency, also claimed as ankle swelling, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant is therefore not entitled to VA benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.11.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The appeal concerning whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims for service connection for left ankle and bilateral foot disabilities is dismissed.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 27, 2011. The appeal for a higher initial rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of STRs and insufficient medical evidence in the file to make a determination. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for his right ankle and left hand disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development and the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections, urethritis, and a left foot and ankle disability are on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service treatment records.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided. This includes obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left foot, and left ankle disorders are not related to his military service. The COPD claim is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted an extra-schedular rating for his left ankle disability effective from June 26, 2011. The disability causes marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left ankle disabilities, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip disorder are pending.