Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disorders, as well as an initial compensable rating for arthritis of the right first metatarsal joint, are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the diagnoses of the Veteran's left ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as determine whether such disabilities are related to service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination, consideration of an extra-schedular rating, and potential staged ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial review of all evidence associated with his claims file since the September 2006 statement of the case, and for VA examinations to determine if any currently diagnosed disorders are related to military service. The Veteran also needs a hearing before the Board at the RO regarding his claim for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and arthralgias of wrists, hips, knees, and ankles, were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have their onset during active military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by suicidal ideation, some difficulty working with others, and some irritability towards his wife.

The Board found no current disability of either knee and denied service connection for bilateral knee arthritis. The left ankle fracture was also denied as the pre-service injury did not aggravate during service.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of the August 31, 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder that he believes is related to and aggravated by his service-connected left ankle condition. The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to address whether the current left knee disorder was caused or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date, finding that the February 7, 2000 petition to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities is the earliest effective date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and granted it, finding that the evidence is in equipoise with the negative opinions against the claim. The Board concludes that the Veteran's current ankle disorder is more likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent before November 17, 2008, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent from November 17, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records, as well as the need for a hearing on her sarcoidosis claim.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities were rated at 20 percent for the period prior to October 20, 2008. Effective October 20, 2008, a 30 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision does not address the temporary total evaluation claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, back arthritis, and arthritis of both shoulders are inextricably intertwined with the matter of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and determined that new evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's pre-service fracture increased in severity during service, warranting presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left ankle disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.