Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding no evidence of aggravation or worsening due to his period of service.

The veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which meets the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The VA examiner found that the veteran has some limitation of motion and pain on daily flareups with no additional functional loss due to pain or other pathology.

The Board has remanded the veteran's appeal due to additional development of his medical records and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for left ankle disorder. The issue of service connection for right knee disorder is REMANDED to the RO.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 20 percent are appropriate.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, manifested by pain and swelling with limited motion, does not warrant a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability or arthritis during the veteran's active service, and concluded that any current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA physician to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder caused or aggravated his right ankle and/or right knee disorders.

The veteran's right ankle sprain was not incurred in service, but he is now rated at 10% for his right index finger disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and failure to provide adequate VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for secondary service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, gynecological disorders (including uterine fibroids and a total abdominal hysterectomy), fibrocystic breast disease, and residuals of a right ankle sprain. The veteran was granted service connection for a fracture of the left ankle but with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a left ankle disorder is related to service or pre-existing service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have cervical disc disease or residuals of a left leg and ankle fracture that are related to his service, and therefore, denied these claims.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for an ankle disorder and an upper back disorder, finding no current disability attributable to military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left ankle sprain or cellulitis of the right ankle, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, left knee ligament laxity, and arthritis of the left knee with chondromalacia were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether he testified at any hearings.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, depression, and reflux esophagitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right knee and bilateral ankles.