Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his right ankle disorder and degenerative changes of the right knee, as well as obtaining any relevant VA treatment records.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and secondary service connection claims were denied due to her failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in July 2007. Her current disability picture cannot be evaluated without these examinations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The claims for major bipolar disorder, right knee strain, right ankle strain, left shoulder strain, arthritis of the cervical spine, and peripheral neuropathy are all denied as not related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, a low back disability, and the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left calf and ankle are being remanded due to insufficient notice provided by VA and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities and assigned a 10% disability rating, effective June 18, 2003. The decision also addressed the issue of an earlier effective date but found no CUE in the original March 1996 denial.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint pains in the knees, ankles, and right hip. The appeal is remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition with radiculopathy, finding that the veteran's service-connected bilateral claw foot contributed to his current disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, an ulcer, residuals of heat exhaustion and fatigue, a left ankle sprain, and a dental condition involving wisdom teeth. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle condition attributable to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the veteran's change in address and incomplete information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury, including symptomatic arthralgia and internal derangement, are attributable to service. The VA examiner found osteopenia in the right foot during a June 2002 examination but did not provide an opinion on its etiology. A medical opinion is needed regarding whether the osteopenia of the right foot is related to service.

The Board has granted an initial increased evaluation of 10% for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain, but denied the claim for an increase in his noncompensable rating for residuals of a right thumb injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disorder and disability manifested by left ankle pain, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or for years after service, and that any current conditions are not related to active duty.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated as 100 percent disabling in combination, including post-traumatic stress disorder, low back disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's impairment from diabetic neuropathy effectively renders him without the use of his lower extremities, necessitating the use of a wheelchair for locomotion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU. The low back strain claim was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The anxiety disorder and bilateral ankle disorder claims were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or being related to service-connected disability.

The Board found no current chronic disabilities related to the claimed perianal cyst, left ankle injury, or tinea cruris. The veteran's end stage renal disease is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his in-service urology problems.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.