Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of a present bilateral or right ankle disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed bilateral ankle sprain. The left hip disorder was also not granted as service connected due to lack of medical evidence showing it was incurred during active duty.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected left ankle disability, which was previously rated as 10 percent disabling. The current range of motion is limited to 15 degrees dorsiflexion and 30 degrees plantar flexion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and needs further examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle sprains, as well as her requests for initial compensable ratings for status post bunionectomies of the right and left great toes. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant a higher rating or additional service connection. The right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was noncompensable, and residuals of second degree right ankle sprain were also rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for proper VCAA notice regarding increased disability ratings.

The veteran does not have a current disability of the wrists, hips, right ankle, shoulders, left knee, or elbows that is related to his military service. He has tinnitus but there is no competent medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for various conditions, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture and incisional neuroma, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to his left ankle injury, finding no evidence linking it to his active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of current diagnoses or underlying conditions for these disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of whether he wishes to have an RO hearing.

The veteran seeks service connection for arthritis, bilateral hip, ankle, foot, and left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that the disability is manifested by moderate limitation of motion and does not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The veteran's claims for a left ankle disability and curvature of the spine were denied. His claim for an increased rating for his service-connected fracture to the left femur was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot and ankle disorders are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service or any presumptive conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist, knee, ankle, and toe disabilities were denied. Service connection was granted only for a status post right ankle strain with X-ray changes of the tibia.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is not warranted based on the evidence provided.