Ankle decisions — 2007

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since the veteran's active duty.

The veteran's service connection claim for left ankle arthritis is granted as his current condition is considered to be directly related to an in-service injury.

The veteran's initial ratings for lumbar discogenic disease, left ankle disorder, and right lumbar radiculopathy were granted. The low back disability is currently asymptomatic during flare-ups but manifests with mild to moderate spasm of the paraspinous muscles, moderate limitation of motion (LOM), and decreased sensation in the right lower extremity. The left ankle disorder resolves when not flared up, manifesting with some swelling and moderate LOM. No higher ratings are warranted for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for burn scars of the back was denied as there is no medical evidence linking her current condition to a burn injury sustained during active duty.,For residuals of a left ankle sprain, the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 28, 1999. A 10% rating was granted effective from that date.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's appeal of the March 2003 rating decision was timely, and granted service connection for a left ankle disorder based on direct evidence showing it was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it. The decision on the bilateral ankle disability issue is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with residual arthritis, service connection for back and shoulder disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic left ankle disorder, back disorder, or right great toe disorder related to service. The bilateral foot pain is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection, including hearing loss, ankle disorder, hammertoes, and spurs of the feet as secondary to ingrown toenails. The rating for residuals of ingrown toenails is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle injury. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee/leg and right ankle disorders, finding no competent evidence of record showing that these conditions had their onset during active service or were caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records. The veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder and a back disorder, which he claims are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the feet and ankles is not related to injury incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle disability related to service and his appendectomy scar is not shown to be painful or unstable, warranting no compensable evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case to provide a revised duty-to-assist notice regarding the request to reopen claims for service connection for back and left ankle disorders, considering any additional evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limited motion or functional impairment.