Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his right ankle disability, as the most recent VA examination was more than five years ago.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed arthritis to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased rating and service connection claims. The maximum schedular rating of 40 percent has been granted, but no higher as the disability is rated based on an amputation level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for flat feet is dismissed due to his withdrawal. The right wrist disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical examination. The examiner will assess whether his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic right and left ankle sprains have been granted. Service connection for a lung condition, claimed as residuals of pneumonia, has not been established. The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to September 29, 2009, but no higher evaluation is warranted. GERD evaluations are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical strain, ankle strain, knee strain and shoulder tendonitis prior to the specified dates have been denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of left ankle sprain and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that a current left ankle disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is not service-connected, and his left ankle sprain disorder does not warrant a higher disability rating. His TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's pension benefits were denied due to his incarceration. His service-connection claims for left knee, heart, and hepatitis B disabilities are being reopened based on new evidence. The right ankle disability claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of pneumonia, also claimed as shortness of breath, was previously denied in July 1990 and reopened by new evidence submitted since then. The low back disorder claim has been reopened but the service connection is not granted.,The low back disorder claim has been reopened with new evidence showing degenerative disc disease and facet joint disease. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to active service or any incident therein.,The left ankle strain claim was previously denied in March 1977 and reopened by new evidence submitted since then. The evidence does not show a connection between the condition and active service.,Hypertension, enlarged heart, kidney damage, right shoulder disorder, and right leg disorder claims have all been reopened with new evidence but do not establish a connection to active service or any incident therein.

The Board is remanding the cause-of-death claim due to the need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion. The DIC benefits claim remains inextricably intertwined with the cause-of-death claim and must be addressed concurrently.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20% for the veteran's left ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20%. The evidence showed that the Veteran had complaints of pain and stiffness but no instability or tendon abnormality.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical opinions. The appeal involves multiple issues arising from different rating decisions spanning over two decades.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current underlying left or right ankle disease or injury, and thus service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining her service treatment records and arranging a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of her left ankle disability.