Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ankle DJD, considering continuity of symptomatology from service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The case will then be processed in accordance with established appellate procedure.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy. The right ankle disorder (claimed as Achilles tendonitis) is not currently addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and releasing private medical records. The case will be reviewed after the development is completed.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability and that any such disability is not related to service. The VA examination did not find any current bilateral ankle condition, and the private physician's opinions are based solely on the Veteran's statements which the Board has found not credible.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, sinusitis, and left ankle sprain as these issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining claims of entitlement to initial disability evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of bunionectomy of the left foot, residuals of bunionectomy of the right foot, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder (dominant) wrist are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, which was previously denied in multiple rating decisions. The Veteran's statements, a buddy statement from a fellow service member, and VA treatment records have provided sufficient information to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple lower extremity disorders, including bilateral foot, ankle, knee, and hip conditions. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his in-service medical records and private treatment records. Additionally, VA examinations are required for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, bilateral shin disorders, left ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including those from the Loma Linda VA Medical Center and any other relevant VA facilities. The case will be adjudicated again after this information has been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder, including arthritis, is service-connected. The right ankle disorder, also including arthritis, is also service-connected as well. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for a left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding its onset in service or being related to service. The denial of service connection for the left ankle disability is based on the lack of medical evidence linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2010. Effective that date, the rating is increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, manifested by mild limitation of plantar flexion and normal dorsiflexion with pain, is rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating from October 1, 2006 to January 22, 2008 and from May 1, 2008 to September 21, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and are not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from OPM and USPS, scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of hypertension, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper, but did not find that achievement of the Veteran's goal to obtain a Bachelors Degree in Marine Engineering and obtaining a license as a maritime engineer is reasonably feasible.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including papillomas of the vocal cord, low back disability, and injuries to his heels and ankles. The Board found no current disabilities related to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 8, 2007. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.