Ankle decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is able to work part-time and attend school.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VA examinations.

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

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle injury or disorder during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, but denied a higher rating for hypertension.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing chip fracture or smooth extra ossicle adjacent to the left lateral malleolus existed prior to his military service and did not result in any aggravation or permanent increase in severity during service. Therefore, the residuals of a right ankle fracture were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disorder or left knee disorder related to his military service.,Service connection for residuals of a scaphoid fracture of the left wrist was granted, but with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right shoulder disability, and left ankle sprain. The veteran is also entitled to a compensable evaluation for snapping tendons in his left foot.

The Board found that the veteran does not have arthritis of the left ankle attributable to his military service and denied his claims for increased ratings. The issues were remanded pending completion of additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bursitis of the right elbow, intraocular hypertension with headaches and blurred vision, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral ankle disorder, and arthritis of multiple joints (excluding cervical and lumbar spine segments).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hip, knee, or ankle conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 19, 2003, for a 10 percent rating for sinusitis is granted. His other claims are either denied or continue to be pending based on the evidence currently available.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the potential need for extraschedular review.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy and an increased evaluation for a left ankle disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records and VA medical records, and to schedule the veteran for appropriate examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bowel condition/diverticulitis is related to service, while his bilateral ankle condition is not. The veteran's bowel condition/diverticulitis was granted service connection, but his bilateral ankle condition remains denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been of such severity as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral ankle and knee conditions, and esophagitis. The veteran did not have these conditions during his military service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation. There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2005. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination. The issues of service connection for arthritis of the left hand, arthritis of the left ankle, and an increased rating for pilonidal cyst are pending.