Ankle decisions — 2004

The VA denied an increased evaluation for residuals of hemorrhagic fever, to include arthralgia of the low back and right ankle. The veteran's disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for convalescent purposes due to the veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture, status post exostetoctomy talonavicular joint. The rating is effective from November 5, 2002.

The Board granted entitlement to compensation benefits pursuant to the criteria of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left foot and ankle disability, with an initial compensable evaluation.

The veteran's low back disorder and ankle fractures are not service-connected. The RO denied his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain are primarily manifested by symptoms such as stiffness, swelling, and pain. The RO has determined that the disability warrants no higher than a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability is service-connected, as evidenced by an in-service injury and current medical records supporting a diagnosis of degenerative joint disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar disc disease and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for TDIU. The current ratings of 40 percent for lumbar disc disease and 10 percent for left ankle strain are deemed sufficient to reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, a right elbow disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture secondary to the service-connected right knee disability and denied entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescent purposes. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted with a 20% evaluation effective March 6, 2001.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The RO previously denied these claims in November 1990 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and to determine if further examination is necessary.

The veteran's right ankle injury, frostbite of hands (paronychia to the fingernails), and frostbite of feet are all found to be related to his service. His PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The veteran's shell fragment wounds, multiple, superficial, do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and bilateral ankle weakness were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability as secondary to his right ankle fracture residuals and denied entitlement to an increased rating for his right ankle disability.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's status post ankylosis of the right ankle with polyneuropathy and degenerative joint changes, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on specific diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his knee, ankle, appendectomy, and hemicolectomy.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for cold weather injury to the nose, Achilles tendonitis of the right ankle, left ankle disability (including osteoarthritis), and bilateral heel spurs. The veteran's right shoulder condition is not considered service-connected.

The Board finds that the veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by marked limitation of motion and ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees, warrants a higher evaluation from the current 20 percent to 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for impotence. The VA orthopedic examination did not find any current residuals from the 1987 injury.