Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's arthritis of the right hand, left hand, right ankle, and left ankle had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a higher rating of 30 percent for this period.

The Veteran's left ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not cause marked limitation of motion. The current 10% rating adequately reflects her condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a left shoulder injury, low back strain with degenerative joint disease, right shoulder injury, left ankle injury, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, are currently evaluated at their maximum assigned ratings. The Board finds no basis to grant increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 30 percent since October 2007, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to November 22, 2013.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examinations and remands the case for further examination and opinion.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and liver abnormality, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective May 2010, and his left ear hearing loss claim remains denied. The right ankle disability claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in March 2008.

The Veteran's cervical spine stenosis and right ankle degenerative joint disease are being remanded for further examination as the current VA examiner did not address his claims of service connection based on in-service injury or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, to include arthritis, was denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin disorder, neck disorder, kidney disorder, prostate disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and residuals of a right testicular injury.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it pertains to the character of discharge from October 24, 1997 to May 12, 2000 due to the appellant's agreement with the administrative determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left lower extremity disability, as well as an evaluation to determine the severity of his service-connected fracture of the left second metatarsal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims due to the need for clarification on the current status of his prostatitis, left ankle disability, and cellulitis of the chin.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and elbow disorders have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records, SSA records, and private medical records. The Veteran will be provided a new VA examination for his right knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands and back, prostate cancer, a skin disorder, and a right ankle disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or exposure to hazardous substances.