Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder. However, it was determined that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to her military service, thus denying service connection on the merits.

The VA denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tendonitis of the left ankle, but granted service connection for right and left thumb sprains.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and no current disability is shown.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any of the veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disorder and whether referral is warranted for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of hypertension and arthritis for further development. The status of hypertension is unknown, while the arthritis issue requires additional medical examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran fractured his left ankle during service and now has residuals. The veteran also claims hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) which is a congenital condition, but he contends it was aggravated by service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and evaluations, as well as compliance with the Veterans' Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The right hip disorder is not service-connected, while a bilateral ankle disorder is reopened but no rating assigned yet as it requires further development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any right ankle disability found to be present. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle injury will now proceed.

The veteran's left ankle disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent, has been increased to 30 percent effective February 24, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle disability and left ankle sprain, but granted a 10% evaluation for bilateral pes planus effective January 25, 2006.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current foot condition is not related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability, including degenerative joint disease, was incurred during his active service. The decision grants the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and found new and material evidence to support it. The joint pain claims are still pending.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increase in evaluations for residuals of right and left ankle sprains, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, or left ankle disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and needs further examination for service connection claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to service connection for a back disability and increased ratings for various ankle and knee disabilities.