Ankle decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right ankle disorder and PTSD, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The right ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent, while PTSD is rated at 50 percent in combination with other disabilities. The combined rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including a right shoulder disability rated at 40 percent disabling. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis with headaches and residuals of a left ankle injury are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Additional VA examinations will be conducted, and the case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine disorders. The claim for right knee disorder is pending as it may be related to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The VA examinations will be scheduled to address his hypertension, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently does not have residuals of a right ankle fracture and tinnitus did not start during his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's representative seeks to reframe his claim as service connection for a spine condition but this is not addressed in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial higher ratings for his right ankle disability, low back disability (orthopedic manifestations), and neurological manifestations of the low back disability. The TDIU rating claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and donor site scar, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The right ankle disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, while the donor site scar has no compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The specific issues of service connection are still pending.

The veteran's left ankle sprain is currently rated at the noncompensable level.,The veteran's status post vasectomy with vasovasectomy and orchipexy secondary to a retractable right testicle was properly rated at the 10 percent level from March 1996.,The veteran's L5 nerve root irritation with a history of lumbosacral strain and narrowing of L4-L5 is currently rated at the 20 percent level, effective March 1996. The appeal for an increased rating remains denied.,The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder was properly rated at the noncompensable level.

The RO denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and secondary service connection claims for various disabilities.,The RO found no medical evidence supporting a nexus between the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), right foot injury, right ankle injury, right hip injury, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral vision loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional VA medical records and providing him with VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, pneumonia, and a right ankle condition due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and cruris with onychomycosis, residuals of left knee strain, and osteoarthritis of the ankles. The conditions were rated under direct service connection criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ankle sprain, and hypertension/heart disease (now claimed as a heart murmur). The claims for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and residuals of in-service left great toe injury have been granted.