Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and other procedural issues. The veteran's claims for left ankle pain and sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The condition is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for specific actions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuritis of the right leg and ankle, and post-operative varicose veins of the right lower extremity. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis warranted a 10 percent evaluation, but not higher. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence submitted, and it is determined that his arthritis in the left hip, knee, and ankle developed during or after service. However, these conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete evaluation of the evidence, including lack of recent treatment records and examination reports.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and right ankle disability due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining recent medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied by the RO. The decision is pending further development and review.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability, finding that no claim was filed prior to April 27, 2000.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a TDIU and an increased rating for his fracture residuals of the right tibia and fibula with ankle involvement due to further development being required.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for residuals of a testicle injury, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral pes cavus and bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the evidence of record and provide the veteran with an opportunity to submit alternative evidence, obtain VA examination reports, and comply with the VCAA. The issues on appeal are whether the veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for residuals of a service-connected left ankle fracture and chronic tendinitis of the left hip.

The Board denied service connection for tenosynovitis and arthritis of the right ankle, as well as a left ankle disability. The claim for gastritis was granted.,There is no current evidence to support the appellant's claims for right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and assigned a 20 percent evaluation. The issue regarding migraine headaches was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities related to his service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for headaches with otitis media of the right ear, residuals of excision of left hydrocele, swelling of the left lower leg and foot, a left ankle disability, or a right knee disability.