Ankle decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right ankle warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the current rating for moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate his service-connected left ankle disability. The claim will be reconsidered based on the results of this examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently does not have a disability of the left ankle and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found no evidence to support the veteran's contention that his left varicocele was aggravated by active duty.

The veteran's PTSD and left ankle joint condition have been rated based on their current severity.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle disability renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The extraschedular evaluation for the residuals of his left ankle disability is also granted.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, bilateral ankle disability, schizophrenia, bilateral knee disability, and hip disability. The decisions became final as the appellant did not file a NOD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and chest wall pain were denied. The VA also denied his claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right leg shin splints, and left leg shin splints.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, as well as ischemic heart disease, were denied by the Board. The evidence showed significant arterial stenosis in both legs and a history of claudication, but no specific service connection was made.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and traumatic arthritis of the left ankle were denied as there is no evidence that warrants an increase in disability rating beyond the current 10% evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is more than the current noncompensable (0%) rating. The primary impairment is in the ankle itself.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the ankles, knees, lumbar spine and shoulders as not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the initial rating for his right hand disability was denied.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions and denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are not service-connected, as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation. The VA examinations have found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia involving the lower extremities, right shoulder, and bilateral ankles as well as a left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The VA denied increased ratings for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, currently rated at 20 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for disabilities of the ankles, knees, hips and back as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia. The veteran's disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia was increased to 50 percent.

The VA denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that the disability only manifested as slight limitation of dorsiflexion (to 10 degrees) with no other symptoms or manifestations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, finding no current left ankle disability or other residuals related to service.