Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice and to obtain the veteran's personnel file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of right foot trauma do not warrant a higher initial rating as they are currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his right shoulder, right knee, left knee, left ankle, and hypertension disabilities was granted. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for the right shoulder prior to August 22, 2007, and increased it to 30 percent effective that date. Ratings of 10 percent were assigned for his right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities since August 9, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his active service.

The veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury and lumbar spine strain are rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The veteran is granted separate ratings for vitiligo with nummular dermatitis.

The VA determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his scar, left ankle and service connection for neck condition (claimed as neck damage) and Hepatitis B. The veteran's scar was found not to meet criteria for a compensable rating. The Board also found no evidence linking the current neck disability or Hepatitis B to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a back disability, finding that the veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for eczema, foot deformities, and edema of the right ankle. Service connection for retinopathy is denied.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of her periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training. Additional VA examinations will be scheduled to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The bilateral flat feet and ankle conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 3, 2007 and 20 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current left ankle disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any psychiatric disability, diabetic retinopathy (blurred vision), chloracne and porphyria cutanea, or peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities for purposes of establishing service connection.,Regarding erectile dysfunction, the evidence is insufficient to establish its etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral ankle disorder and lumbar spine disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and conducting medical examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.