Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right ankle disability and denied his claim for service connection. His prostate cancer claim is remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's left ankle talocalcaneal coalition and lumbosacral strain were evaluated, but the claims for higher ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right ankle strain and ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left ankle disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension is granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine remains October 10, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease and residual scar. The RO granted service connection in November 2009, but the Veteran contends that his disability has worsened since then and now warrants a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent ratings for right and left ankle sprain residuals, finding that the Veteran's subjective reports of pain, instability, and weakness are consistent with his objective examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, bilateral leg disorders, bilateral hip disorders, and bilateral knee disorders are all service connected as they were aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for a right ankle disability and hepatitis C. The Board found no current right ankle disability, and the VA examiner could not provide an etiology opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, or left hip condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing with a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which approximates marked limitation of motion. Service connection for pes planus has been granted on a secondary basis due to the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety/adjustment disorder and assigned an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left ankle disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left ankle exostosis is granted service connection. The initial rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 10% prior to October 26, 2010 and 40% thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI; entitlement to disability ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for headaches; and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion and residuals of a fibula fracture of the right ankle.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and left ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability alone does not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and service personnel records from Fort Gordon and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.