Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, foot, and chest conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his ankle disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but he contends for a higher rating. The claim is denied.,The Veteran also claims service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, which he asserts was caused by his service-connected left ankle disability. However, the evidence does not support this contention.

The Board has found the evidence currently of record sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for recurrent left ankle sprains. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, while the right knee and hip disorders are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current broken right leg or any other disabilities, and thus denied the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right ankle arthritis status post fracture of the fibula.

The Veteran's claimed right hand, shoulder, hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are not service-connected. His hypertension is also not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine; chondromalacia, left knee; chondromalacia, right knee; a left hip condition; a right hip condition; peroneal tendonitis, left ankle; posterior tibial tendonitis, left ankle; and, posterior tibial tendonitis, right ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, including on a direct basis and as secondary to his service-connected bilateral heel spurs, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed posterior tibial tendonitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper duty-to-assist notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is not related to his military service and does not qualify for service connection under any applicable criteria.

The Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent due to service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as her disabilities are rated at least 40% and she meets the percentage requirements. The Board finds no persuasive evidence suggesting that her service-connected disabilities render her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of recent VA examination and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's active duty periods need to be verified, and her STRs from these periods should be obtained.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and scar have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 21, 2011 or as of that date.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the Veteran's claims due to issues regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases remain pending.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain are manifested by limited plantar flexion, resulting in a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further investigation regarding his service-connected PTSD and potential duplicate file.