Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The RO granted a temporary total evaluation beyond June 30, 2004 due to surgery related to his left ankle disability but did not grant the requested increases in ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for torn ligaments in the left ankle and vascular headaches, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a pre-existing right ankle disorder that he argues was aggravated during his military service. The Board has ordered the RO to obtain SSA disability records and associated them with the claims folder before proceeding.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was denied, while his right ankle disability received a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, residuals of a crush injury (including broken left leg and left ankle), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating codes. The Board found that he did not have moderate ankle disability, marked limitation of motion, or ankylosis of the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to unresolved issues regarding his periods of active duty. The claim for a higher rating for left ankle disability remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was denied because there was no clinical evidence of a right ankle disability. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and schedule him for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at her local RO.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle strain and right knee disability, but granted a 50% rating for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle sprains and remanded it for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability. The underlying merits of these issues will be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected neurological residuals of a gun shot wound to the right lower extremity involving the right ankle are currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 23, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal residuals of a GSW to the right lower extremity involving the right ankle, to include healed fracture distal right fibula, are currently rated at 10 percent, also effective August 23, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle strain with osteoarthritis is service-connected, while his left ankle disorder is not. The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for his right ankle condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current right leg disability in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist condition and an initial noncompensable rating for right ankle condition status post Achilles tendon repair. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle osteoarthritis warrants an initial evaluation of 20 percent, effective May 30, 2006.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to evaluate his back, bilateral knee and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, and there is no reasonable possibility that the examinations would have aided in substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims.