Ankle decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation greater than 40 percent for active chronic rheumatoid arthritis affecting the right ankle and multiple joints is being remanded due to the need for clarification on which of his disabling orthopedic entities are part of, or secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining private medical records. The issue of an increased rating for his right ankle disability will be reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for cancer of the voice box and degenerative arthritis of bilateral ankles and knees, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and left ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at their maximum levels, and the Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder warrants a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and excision of the superficial peroneal nerve neuroma of the left ankle do not warrant compensable ratings. The veteran's post operative plantar fasciotomy of the left foot, carpal tunnel syndromes (right and left), and lumbar spine disorder are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right ulnar nerve disability and granted a 20 percent evaluation for his traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, but not higher.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service, including bilateral hip, knee, ankle, foot disorders and residuals of a head injury. The veteran's headaches were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for a disability of the left ankle remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that nonunion of the tibia or fibula was not demonstrated and thus a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities related to his claimed conditions. The claims for residuals of right ankle injury, residuals of right elbow injury, skin disorder of the hands, and cognitive impairment are all denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral ankle arthritis or a left knee disorder, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current TMJ dysfunction and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain and the initial compensable disability rating for a frontal scalp scar. The veteran's complaints of joint pain are not considered due to an undiagnosed illness or related to his Persian Gulf War service, and there is no evidence of arthritis during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ankle disorder and therefore, service connection for a right ankle sprain is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection of right hip, knee and ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure proper VCAA notification.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability, finding that he already had the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability and is granting it.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees. The evidence does not support a finding that the veteran currently has any current right ankle sprain or patellofemoral pain syndrome, either knee.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.