Ankle decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected right foot disorder is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, and he is granted service connection for his right ankle peroneal tendonitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left ankle and varicose veins, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain are currently manifested by no more than moderate limitation of motion, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right ankle, second toe, and fifth toe disabilities were denied. The right ankle disability was already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of both legs and feet was granted. The claims for arthritis of both feet, ankles, knees, and legs and chronic bronchitis were denied.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including granuloma annulare, degenerative joint disease and impingement syndrome of the shoulders, causalgia and type I complex regional pain syndrome of the left knee and heel, as well as joint pain of the right ankle, right knee, and hips were denied. The claims were reopened on new evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a bilateral hip disability, a bilateral knee disability, a bilateral ankle disability, a thoracic spine disability, or a lumbar spine disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right ankle disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for disabilities of the left knee, left hip, and low back effective May 17, 2000. The claim for a left ankle disability was also granted effective May 17, 2000. No earlier effective dates are warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations in August 2004.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there is no current evidence of such a condition and concluding that any potential link to his in-service injury was not established.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his right ankle disorder, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation higher than the current 30 percent rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher evaluation due to lack of evidence showing marked limitation of motion. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture, status post exostetoctomy talonavicular joint, required a temporary total evaluation for convalescent purposes through November 5, 2002. The rating was granted as the medical evidence showed he needed crutches and other supportive measures due to his surgery.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his left ankle disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability, concluding that no current clinical pathology relating to the right ankle was found and there were no complaints or diagnoses from 2001 forward.

The veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and is granted. Gout, back disorder, and right foot and ankle trauma are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected left ankle disability, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on full range of motion and lack of physical impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected generalized atopic dermatitis with acneform rash does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during his active military service.