Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder.

The veteran's right ankle arthritis is currently rated at the maximum 20 percent evaluation.,The veteran's right ankle instability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, multiple joint pains of the left and right knees, left ankle, and right hip. The claim for an initial compensable rating for varicocele of the left testicle was dismissed due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic degenerative changes of the right and left ankles are denied as there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the claimed conditions, except for tinnitus which was established as being related to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right ankle disability, finding that the current manifestations do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle sprain, service connection for a right wrist condition, neck condition, asthma, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a service-connected disability for any of the conditions claimed, including right ear hearing loss, left shoulder, left ankle, neck, or bilateral knee disabilities. The veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic residuals for the claimed conditions and denied service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, left ankle, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and review of service records.

The RO must obtain SSA records related to the veteran's disability benefits and adjudicate his eligibility for VA medical care based on these records.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed ankle fracture or leg swelling, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for an ankle fracture and leg swelling is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any knee, ankle, or foot disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his incarceration and inability to attend scheduled VA compensation examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence to resolve the claims of service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities.

The veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right ankle and hip disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings have been granted.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities do not warrant higher initial ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for specially adapted housing. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran has suffered the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet due to his service-connected disabilities, thus meeting the requirements for certification of eligibility for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current disabilities for the claimed bilateral shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle conditions. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.