Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran requested to withdraw her appeal regarding the issues of sinusitis, allergies, hearing loss, otitis media, and tendonitis of the bilateral feet and ankles. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the veteran is capable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to complaints of worsening symptoms and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the additional evidence.

The Board granted the veteran's motion to reopen his claim for service connection for a right ankle disability and found new and material evidence. The claims for cold injury residuals of the upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and left shoulder disability were also addressed.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss of the right ear, chronic low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic right ankle disability, and chronic left ankle disability were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for status-post open reduction with internal fixation, right (minor) elbow fracture and dislocation, with excision of radial head with Silastic implant, but only an initial 10 percent evaluation was assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current 20 percent rating for mild arthritis of the right ankle is appropriate and does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. His right ankle fracture, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral knee condition are not service-connected.

The veteran's athlete's foot, asthma, and bilateral ankle sprains are found to be related to service. The scars of the left cheek warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of hearings before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) and a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it results in moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability with arthritis is not related to his active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her right ankle sprain warranted a 10 percent rating. The other issues were also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not show any ankylosis, and he is already receiving the maximum 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability, which is rated as osteochondritis dissecans with arthritis and instability, warrants a rating of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining more recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, left shoulder disorder, or left ankle disorder related to his periods of active military service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.