Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's current leg/ankle disability, characterized as varicosities of the bilateral lower extremities and cellulitis of the left ankle, is not related to his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis, right ankle, postoperative fracture warranted a rating of 30 percent based on limitation of motion. The preponderance of evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The appellant contends that he injured his right ankle during service and has been experiencing pain since then. The VA is remanding the case for a comprehensive orthopedic examination to determine if any current right ankle disability is related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds and fracture have been granted, with ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and other procedural issues.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an increased initial rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle arthritis, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if the veteran's current left leg and ankle disabilities are related to military service or pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's appeal is for service connection and initial rating of hypertension. The left ankle and elbow disabilities are also on appeal, but the decision only addresses the hypertension issue.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle condition and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's left ankle condition, characterized by moderate limited motion and trace swelling, warrants a 10 percent disability rating. The appeal was granted as per the current rating.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to consider whether a formal or informal claim for TDIU was pending prior to September 4, 1997 and if so, whether the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of all service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded to the RO via the AMC in Washington, DC. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of new evidence and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper notice of her rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for residuals of a fractured proximal left tibia and fibula. The claim for the right ankle disability was denied due to lack of evidence of current right ankle pathology related to service, while the claim for the left ankle instability was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The VA will provide further assistance in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate his claims.

The veteran's right knee disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disorder.,There is no evidence of a left wrist disorder in service or related to service. The claim for residuals of the left wrist injury has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.