Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, bilateral heel spurs, and a bilateral ankle disability, are not related to his military service. The Veteran did not exhibit these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is about his current 10 percent rating for a right ankle sprain. The VA Regional Office (RO) has already granted service connection and assigned the initial 10 percent rating effective from the date of claim. The Veteran wants an increased rating, but additional evidence may be needed to support this request.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 4, 1957 rating decision that did not assign a separate compensable rating for a left ankle scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of lay evidence and new medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured right fibula, with degenerative joint disease of the right ankle is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD, malingering, hypertension, GERD, and basal cell cancer of the right cheek are denied. Service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and left wrist is also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 40 percent is granted effective October 29, 2008 due to fusion surgery. The Veteran's right wrist disability remains at 10 percent. The initial evaluation for the right toe bunionectomy and exostosis removal is also granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for a higher rating was denied. The issue of reopening his back disorder claim has been addressed and new evidence received since January 2003 does not meet the criteria to reopen the claim. His service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the appellant's status as a veteran for his National Guard service and whether he incurred or aggravated his left ankle disorder during qualifying periods of service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed on the claims of service connection for right knee, ankle, and thigh disorders. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records, clarify the nature of his ankle disorder, and determine if he has a current right thigh disorder related to either service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including eye condition, right shoulder disability, kidney disorder, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The issues were previously adjudicated as final due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for cellulitis of the right foot and ankle.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and hip disabilities are not service connected, nor are they secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. His right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that new evidence did not reopen his earlier claim for a prior effective date. The Veteran's low back disability was found to be less than severely disabling, and no direct or secondary incurrence of left knee or leg/ankle disorders were established.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to notify and assist, including obtaining private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hips, bilateral; arthritis of the left knee; and residuals of a compression fracture of vertebra T12. Service connection for arthritis of the ankles, bilateral, and arthritis of the feet, bilateral, is denied as not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection and aggravation of hearing loss and right ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, as both claims were previously denied on the merits.