Ankle decisions — 2007

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right ankle fracture, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral knee, hip, ankle, hand, and wrist disorders were not caused or aggravated by his military service or a service-connected condition. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The veteran's case is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing before the Board. He will be placed on the docket for a new hearing.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral wrist, ankle, knee (arthritis), hand (arthritis), and hearing loss disabilities, as well as her residuals of left ear tympanoplasty, all claimed to be related to a repelling accident during active duty for training in May 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left knee and ankle disorders, spondylosis (low back disorder), spondylolisthesis (low back disorder), post-operative right foot and right ankle condition with degenerative joint disease, hypertension, and bilateral tinea pedis. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left ankle disorders are not related to service, with the exception of a congenital coalition between the calcaneus and cuboid bones. The veteran's current right wrist disorder is also denied.,The veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated as noncompensable due to lack of evidence of thrombosis or irreducibility.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left hand and left ankle, as well as his claim for an increased rating for pilonidal cyst. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of left ankle fracture, effective September 1, 2001. Service connection for a left knee disorder was not established.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and low back disorder, as well as his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a small intestine perforation were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a direct or secondary relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left foot pain and numbness, as well as his left ankle fracture residuals, were denied by the Board. The decision found that a higher evaluation was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle sprains, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lumbar strain with spondylosis are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected pes planus.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability, and concludes that he has a current degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The VA examiner found no evidence of continuing pain or discomfort in the left ankle following service, but the private physician opined that the veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the service connection claims for various disabilities, including those secondary to left ilioinguinal nerve entrapment. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of all theories of entitlement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a new VA examination and etiology opinion. The veteran's claim of service connection for chronic residuals of a right ankle strain is currently under review.

Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea capitis, and left ankle injury is granted.,The veteran's current diagnoses of pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea capitis, and left ankle injury are found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and failure to obtain all relevant post-service treatment records.

The veteran's folliculitis was granted service connection, but his DJD of the hands and ankles remains denied.,His tinea cruris received a higher initial rating to 10%, while his bilateral plantar fasciitis also received a higher initial rating to 30%.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative right club foot with osteoarthritis of the right foot and ankle, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred in service.