Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle chip fracture residuals and pseudofolliculitis barbae with seborrhea dermatitis were denied by the Board. The rating for right ankle chip fracture residuals was found not to meet criteria for a higher rating, while the skin disorder claim resulted in a 30 percent rating from March 9, 2006 until March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain and sinus infections were denied. The claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia with GERD and gastritis was also denied as the disability is rated at its maximum of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent schedular rating from February 16, 2011.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for right ankle/foot disorder, left ankle disorder, and hypertension. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure.,There was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran had pre-existing conditions prior to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of service connection for sinusitis and an increased initial evaluation for migraine headaches. The claims for service connection for dyshidrosis of bilateral feet, a neurological disorder of the left hand (claimed as left palm nerve condition), TMJ, and bruxism were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, manifested by residuals of a strain, is due to an injury sustained during his period of active service. The claim for service connection for back disability has been reopened and granted. However, new and material evidence was not presented to reopen claims for left shoulder disorder and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The right ankle disability, Haglund's deformity of the left foot, and bilateral knee disabilities are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a bilateral ankle disability, and the Veteran did not have any other disabilities related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he can perform sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to address the credibility of the Veteran's lay statements regarding chronic and continuous symptoms following service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of a VA examination report, and further evaluation is required before service connection can be determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral knee and ankle condition due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining updated medical evaluations and opinions regarding his ability to engage in the profession of massage therapy.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by marked limitation of plantar flexion and pain, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and residuals of a left ankle injury. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted.,There is competent medical evidence showing that the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, related to his period of active service.