Ankle decisions — 2008

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for gouty arthritis of the right ankle, as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's hypesthesia of the right anterior lateral distal fibula and ankle, finding that it is moderate in nature.

The veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are manifested by daily ankle pain, severe on the left and moderate on the right that interferes with work, sleep, and daily chores. The VA medical examination reports reflect bilateral range of motion of 14 degrees dorsiflexion and 28 degrees plantar flexion with pain on motion but not additionally limited by weakness or fatigue by repetition.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection for arthritis in the elbows, knees, hips, or right ankle. The veteran's claims were denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, including her right tibia tendonitis, was incurred in service and is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was rated at 10 percent from January 15, 2007 through May 15, 2007.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his scar, left ankle limitation of motion, or right knee degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, lumbar spine, knees, and ankles were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities have also been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder strain, right ankle strain, and left knee disability. The low back disorder claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss and skin disorders were also denied.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle with post-traumatic arthritis, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ankle disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right and left ankle sprains, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Service connection was also denied for residuals of a chest mass due to lack of competent medical evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an initial evaluation of 30 percent for her service-connected migraine headaches, but not higher. The veteran's neuroma, to include the right ankle and bilateral feet, was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right leg thrombophlebitis and bilateral hearing loss, were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left and right knees with a 10% rating each, tinnitus with a 10% rating, and GERD with a non-compensable rating effective October 1, 2004.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for PTSD, a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure, or a left ankle condition.