Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and examination, requiring further development of the claim for an increased rating for recurrent right ankle sprains.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left ankle and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective October 29, 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, kidney disability, bilateral foot disability, and back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has ordered further development in your case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination. The appeal is currently on hold while the requested development is completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, manifested by degenerative joint disease and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5284. The RO has now granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective October 4, 2001.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are also granted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a low back, bilateral ankle, hip, or knee disability related to his service or a service-connected condition. The varicose veins of the right leg are rated at 20% prior to October 17, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle was not fused at 90 degrees prior to June 1, 1997. As of June 1, 1997, the veteran's left ankle is fixed at 90 degrees and warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including a review of the medical records and an examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a foot disorder. The veteran's current ankle disability is presumed to be related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, granting his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity conditions, including left Achilles tendon rupture and left ankle pain, as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The spine condition is also claimed as secondary to this disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder is currently manifested by moderate limitation of motion, traumatic arthritis, and pain. The disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture, left knee injury, and right knee injury are each rated at the maximum available evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a shortened right leg, a right ankle disability, and bilateral leg neuropathy due to an electrical shock received in service. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected right foot injury residuals, including a fractured base fifth metatarsal, post operation, with arthritis. The issue of service connection for arthritis of the left ankle is also denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's pre-existing left ankle disability was permanently worsened by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.