Ankle decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and generalized arthritis, finding no current evidence of such disabilities.

The veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury, ganglion cyst of the right wrist, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted initial evaluations. The right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent disabling since January 27, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and multiple other conditions, preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment. His right carpal tunnel syndrome is not found to be secondary to his service-connected right arm disorders. He does not meet eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. The veteran's TDIU rating claim is denied as he has a combined disability rating of 80 percent and the evidence shows that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability, which was rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO subsequently increased the rating to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected fracture of the right tibia and fibula with post-traumatic arthritis warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from September 11, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disability and for service connection of a bilateral leg disorder as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability, manifested by moderate limitation of motion and painful motion, does not warrant a higher rating. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders, low back pain, right hip pain, right knee pain, and right ankle pain as secondary to service-connected amputation.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The rating for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle, with tibial and medial nerve involvement, remains at 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current right ankle disorder and his period of active service or any incident therein, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's status post fracture of the right ankle with internal fixation fusion and traumatic arthritis, and a 20 percent evaluation for his right ankle nerve damage.

The VA determined that the veteran's burn scar of the left ankle does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it is asymptomatic and does not interfere with employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip and right leg disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for his left leg scar. The claim to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral pes planus. The veteran's claims are now reopened.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the veteran's frequent but manageable headaches meet the criteria for this rating. The left ankle disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, manifested by edema, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding of service-connected disability or a link to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture warrant an increased rating to 40 percent, reflecting significant pain and severe limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the left ankle, and arthritis of the right ankle. The veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are considered to be related to his active duty service.