Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right first metatarsal bone stress fracture, diffuse stress changes to the feet, diffuse stress changes to the ankles, and dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon bilaterally due to a lack of current medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, with arthritis of the left knee and ankle, status post tibial osteotomy and left total knee replacement was denied. The claims for service connection for a right total knee replacement and residuals of burns to the hands, wrists, face, and eyes were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a service-connected left ankle fracture are manifested by painful ambulation requiring repeated immobilization or near immobilization, frequent lost time from work, subluxation, diagnoses of sinus tarsi syndrome and peroneal tendonitis, among other diagnoses, and severe degenerative joint disease with osteochondritis and an osteochondral defect on radiologic examination. The criteria for a 30 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of head injury, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA will notify you if further action is required on your part.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding no current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, right elbow injury, and left ankle injury as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for his left ankle sprain prior to December 6, 2004 was denied. For the period beginning December 6, 2004, he is entitled to a 10 percent rating.

The VA treatment did not result in additional disability, and the veteran's right ankle injury was already present prior to the VA treatment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, coronary artery disease, dizziness and blackouts, stomach disorder, joint disease of the neck, bilateral knee disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral leg disorder. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current disabilities of either ankle due to injuries sustained in service. Therefore, her claims for service connection for residuals of left and right ankle injuries are denied.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected arthritis, chronic, bilateral ankles.

The Board found that the appellant's migraine headaches are no more than occasionally prostrating and thus do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The issues regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, leg/knee pain, and swollen fingers/ankles/hands were also denied as service connection was decided on the merits.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for the veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, effective December 10, 2004.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left hip pain and residuals of left ankle injury, finding that the current ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes are appropriate.

The appeal is currently in remand status due to the grant of service connection for a low back disability and the need to readjudicate the remaining claims. The Vocational Rehabilitation claim will be reconsidered after these changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and a right ankle disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD or in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, finding new and material evidence. The claim is granted as secondary to a service-connected fracture of the left lower extremity.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities have been dismissed due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.