Ankle decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right and left knee joint pains, as well as chronic right ankle pain due to undiagnosed illness. Service connection is also granted for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine secondary to a service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's left ankle fracture, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip and left ankle disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they are currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic disability related to the appellant's reported stress fractures and arthralgia, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's bilateral ankle and knee disabilities have been rated as zero percent disabling prior to June 23, 2005, and 10 percent thereafter. The Board has found no evidence of marked limitation of motion in either ankle or knee that would warrant a higher rating.,The veteran's left and right ankles are currently evaluated at 10 percent each, effective the date of claim.

The Board denied the claim as there was insufficient evidence linking the veteran's service-connected disabilities to his cause of death, which was listed as cardiac arrest.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right ankle fracture did not worsen during service, and his current arthritis is not related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left leg disability related to his military service or his service-connected left ankle disability. The veteran's left ankle disability is currently evaluated as 10% disabling, and there is no evidence of gout or other conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, right ankle disorder, left wrist disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left foot/ankle disability, right knee disability, and left shoulder disability. The veteran's claim for increased rating was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The veteran's back, left knee and left ankle disabilities have been rated based on their severity. The ratings for the back and left knee are granted at 40% and 30%, respectively.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA-compliant notice regarding the reopening of his low back disability claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a lower back disability, right shoulder deformity, left knee disability, mild cortical deformity of the left medial malleolus, herpes, gum disease, right ankle condition, heart condition, and right knee condition. The reasons for denial are provided in the decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, which includes a status-post displaced fracture of the left ankle (medial malleolus) with post-traumatic arthritis. The issue of whether a higher rating is warranted remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate notice and because of the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation from September 1, 1993.,From September 1, 1993 to September 16, 1996, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From September 17, 1996 to October 7, 1998, a 10 percent evaluation was assigned based on moderate limitation of motion.,From October 8, 1998 onwards, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From August 24, 2006 onwards, no specific rating has been met.,The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 1, 1993.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship between the veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders and his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.