Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disorder and an initial rating for his left ankle disability are both pending, with the latter having been granted. The right ankle claim remains unresolved.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The effective date of this rating decision is not specified.,The Veteran's asthma is denied, with no higher than a 10 percent evaluation being granted.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's muscle tension headaches.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for each of the Veteran's elbow tendonitis conditions.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied and remains at its current 0 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right shoulder, left knee, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle condition is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for a low back disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for osteochondritis dissecans of the right ankle from January 12, 2009 until April 16, 2012 was granted. From April 17, 2012, he is now entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing on his service connection claims and obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 11, 2010 and increased to 20 percent effective from May 11, 2010. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle, hip, and knee disabilities are not causally or etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic bilateral ankle or shin disability that was incurred in service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that any current right ankle disability is related to her military service, and there is no indication of a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and unobtained Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The RO/AMC will also attempt to schedule a hearing for the Veteran at a VA facility closer to her home.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records, as well as obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chronic left lateral ankle instability, post-operative is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his right leg disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and determining if extraschedular ratings are warranted for his ankle disabilities. His claim for an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder will be deferred pending a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was incurred during active military service. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a left ankle sprain is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right wrist disability at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence was not in equipoise and did not meet the criteria for service connection.