Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the criteria for an initial compensable rating for left ankle DJD prior to November 2, 2006, and in excess of 10 percent since that date have not been met. The Veteran's GERD has also not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current left ankle/foot and right foot disabilities and his military service. The medical opinions are against such a finding, attributing these conditions more likely to weight gain since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis as secondary to his service connected left ankle disability is granted. The appeal regarding a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent for the left ankle disability and TDIU is also addressed, with the case being remanded for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ankle or right knee disabilities related to his service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records. The issues include increased evaluations for left ankle fracture (also claimed as arthritis) and compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination to address whether his pre-existing right ankle condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot and ankle disability. The Board has determined that the current examination report is not responsive to the remand directives, necessitating further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of any of the claimed conditions, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service. The VA examinations and VHA specialist opinions do not support a finding that any of the disabilities are related to the 1969 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, including residuals of right ankle arthroscopy with traumatic arthritis, has been manifested by painful motion and fatigability. The objective evidence does not show ankylosis or instability.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations of his feet and ankles as well as his sinuses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities have been granted in a May 2012 rating decision. The appeals are dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues listed on the title page of this decision, indicating he now understands the VA system and wishes to withdraw these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled hearing, and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture has been rated at 10 percent since May 1970. The VA examiner found the condition to be slight, with no moderate disability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and reopening of service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for the scar, status post appendectomy was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for left ankle tendon injury and back disability were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting marked limitation of motion with pain, swelling, instability, and use of assistive devices.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a separate 20 percent rating is warranted based on malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate ankle disability (Diagnostic Code 5262).