Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right wrist and ankle, as well as a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's left ankle and low back disabilities, with a 20 percent rating assigned from March 11, 2003 to October 1, 2005. The decision also addressed the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing. The issues of service connection and increased rating are pending.

The veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. The right ankle disability is assigned a non-compensable rating. Service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities has been denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain and bilateral plantar fasciitis do not warrant a compensable rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the left ankle disorder and the severity of the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle sprain and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for status post right ankle injury, residuals of hernia, and blood blisters on the back. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted but with no effective date provided.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of osteoarthritis in multiple joints, including cervical spine, right knee, bilateral feet, hips, ankles, elbows, or hands.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the arms, and right ankle disorder as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's left ankle disability was previously rated at 0 percent, but a higher rating of 10 percent is granted as of March 14, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left ankle sprain, bilateral shin splints, and neck strain. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left hip, left knee, and left ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for a right ankle disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran has residuals of a right ankle fracture, mechanical lower back pain, and an unspecified eye condition related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, ankle, foot, right leg, right ankle, low back, and memory loss and difficulty concentrating residuals of a concussion, have been denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, effective June 2003. The right ankle disability is also found to be related to the service-connected left ankle disability and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, depression, a low back condition, residuals of a cyst in the right breast, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability are all denied.