Ankle decisions — 2006

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral ankle disability and found that the veteran's claimed condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to both lower extremities and increased the disability rating for left ankle disability from noncompensable to 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right ankle disability with DJD and for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance. The VA found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the veteran's condition based on range of motion.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability and granted it. However, the Board denied service connection for left knee disability as there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability in service or since, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral wrist disorder, right ankle disorder, or low back disorder that is related to his service. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied as it is unclear if it is secondary to hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's left ankle and back disabilities are not found to be related to his service-connected right knee disability, leading to the denial of these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right ankle disability have been denied. The Board found no current left or bilateral knee disabilities, and the evidence did not support a finding that any diagnosed conditions were related to service or secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's current headaches/right hand disorder/right ankle disorder are due to any disease or injury incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current separately diagnosed disabilities claimed as pain of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm, right side, right ankle, right leg, right hip, and right foot. As such, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between the veteran's right ankle sprain and active service. The preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of psychiatric disorder, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder, all claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle Achilles tendonitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and right ankle disability, as well as her claim for a higher evaluation for mechanical low back pain. The veteran's back pain was evaluated at 10 percent under old criteria but not more favorable under new criteria. Her mental health conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, effective from January 14, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for various service-connected conditions, finding that none of the conditions met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that there is no current right ankle disability and thus the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury cannot be granted.