Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent left shoulder dislocation, right ankle fracture, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, residual left Achilles tendon disability, and bilateral ankle arthritis are currently under review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not resolved and requires further examination to determine if his current disabilities had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board is remanding the claims for bilateral hip disability and left knee disability to allow further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the ankles remains not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports, lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions, and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms. The appeal for service connection for a right leg disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and right ankle disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability is currently assigned a 20 percent rating, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claims, including obtaining relevant medical records.

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

The Veteran's right knee ACL repair residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective June 18, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent were met due to frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA clinical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, nose injury, and eye injury. The appeal is based on his active duty from November 1976 to April 1980.

The Veteran's left ankle osteochondritis dessicans was manifested by complaints of chronic pain, weakness, and instability before January 14, 2013. From January 14, 2013, the disability has been characterized by marked limitation of motion without ankylosis. The Board denied a higher rating for both periods.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of exposure to chemicals and respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, sinus, shortness of breath, cough, including as due to herbicide and asbestos exposure. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle disability has been granted, with the effective date set at February 21, 1956. The higher initial rating and service connection claims for right knee total arthroplasty are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, non-compensable service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating based on limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as ankylosis has not been demonstrated.