Ankle decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected lymphedema of the left ankle and foot is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a congenital deformity of the left ankle and granted it, based on new evidence submitted since the August 2001 rating decision.

The veteran's service-connected bone spur of the right ankle, degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, and GERD have been rated as appropriate under VA regulations. The RO has granted higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his claimed conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to vocational rehabilitation services is denied as he has overcome the effects of his service-connected disabilities and maintains successful employment.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected residuals of bimalleolar fracture of the right ankle, based on marked functional loss due to pain and lack of endurance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Medical Center treatment records. The case will be remanded to consider these new pieces of evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensable evaluations for his right knee disorder, residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, residuals of fractures of the little finger and index finger of the left hand are denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left ankle sprain is being remanded to the RO due to a procedural issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and right ankle disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation as they are currently manifested by slight to moderate impairment, without evidence of instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left ankle injury do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than the current 10 percent assigned, based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and re-adjudicating the claim with consideration of all evidence received since March 2003 statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, or thoracic spine disorder related to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his ankle scar was denied. The effective date of the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for ankle scar was set at May 15, 2003.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which is the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board has ordered additional development of the evidence due to procedural concerns. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist and left ankle joints from July 28, 1998 is now pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left ankle disorder, which includes arthroscopic surgeries and synovitis with chondromalacia, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent since June 11, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right ankle and hips, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities on a secondary basis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left great toe disability.