Ankle decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his physical limitations, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, a right wrist disability, a left wrist disability, a low back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The evidence does not support these claims as there is no current diagnosis or showing of such disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, upper back, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disabilities. The decision also noted that the veteran did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle condition does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected left ankle disability, finding that it results in marked limitation of motion.

The case is being remanded due to a material change in the veteran's disability, and further evidentiary development is required.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right knee and left ankle conditions receiving a 20 percent rating each. The adjustment disorder claim was also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and review of applicable regulations.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there is no competent evidence linking them to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for metal fuel fever residuals, right ear hearing loss, hemorrhoids, arthritis of the hands, arms, shoulders, knees, and ankles have been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to arrange for an examination.

The veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and left knee were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The RO denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his left ankle disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence associating the veteran's current headaches, sleep disorder, or left ankle disability with his in-service head injury and training accident. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. However, two new medical opinions suggest a possible link between Agent Orange exposure and his Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which could potentially improve the likelihood of TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds no basis to increase this rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the evidence.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle was denied. The Board found that his service-connected left ankle disability is asymptomatic with full range of motion and does not affect his right ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral foot and ankle disability, including heel spur syndrome, is linked to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.