Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle instability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been granted. The claims for higher initial evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board found no evidence of sinusitis, right ankle disorder, or left Achilles tendonitis in service. The veteran's symptoms were not shown to be related to his military service and are considered separate from any service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities were denied. The initial disability evaluation for non-obstructive coronary artery disease with hypertension and history of PVC's was granted at 30 percent, but the veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed hip, ankle, and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his service-connected cervical spine disability caused or aggravated his bilateral upper and lower extremity conditions, including ankle, leg, and shoulder pain. The Board concluded that these conditions are not related to his service-connected condition.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to his service-connected disabilities and the fact that he was medically retired at 100% disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination. The issues of increased rating for right ankle disability and TDIU are also pending.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, right knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and left ankle disability have been granted. The evaluation for the lumbosacral spine has been increased to 40 percent from September 16, 1995 to November 16, 1997, and then to 50 percent from February 27, 2006 onwards.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for aphakia of the left eye with loss of vision prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues of increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a fracture of the left ankle are remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability and ear itching, finding no current disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for an opinion on whether the veteran has a chronic disability related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected chronic sprain, left ankle, was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. As such, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and a left leg and ankle disability, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his service-connected organic mental disorder, right hip fracture, left ankle fracture, maxillary fracture, and tinnitus.

The veteran's right ankle disability and chronic tonsillitis and sore throat were not granted initial compensable ratings or service connection, respectively.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing, but denied service connection for all other conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.