Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ankle fracture and bronchial asthma, but denied an increased rating for the left ankle disability. The decision on the left ankle issue is mixed as it grants a higher initial rating, while the asthma claim results in a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues raised by the veteran regarding the examination and adjudication of his claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition for the claimed bilateral ankle, knee, shoulder, foot, and shin splints disorders. The veteran's asthma was not established as service-connected due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic arthritis of the knees, tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and a right ankle disability. The veteran was not granted any new evaluations or connections.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right little finger, ring finger, and ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a head injury with memory loss, neck disorder, left wrist and ankle disorders, anxiety disorder, chest disorder, seizure disorder, and gunshot wound to the left arm, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an ankle disability and for a compensable rating for bilateral pes cavus, finding no current disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of residuals of a right ankle sprain, right foot/heel condition, and acne with scars of the facial area have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA examination reports are outdated and additional evidence, including SSA records, needs to be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and fracture of the left ankle with calcaneal spur during a hearing. The claim for lower jaw odontia with tooth loss was not granted as it did not meet the requirements for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the evaluation of hypertension and left ankle sprain, including obtaining additional medical evidence and considering all applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral hip disabilities, and left ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current chronic disabilities.,VA examinations did not find any underlying chronic conditions that could account for the veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left knee disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability resulting from these injuries.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for hepatitis B, a right ankle condition, and arthritis of the right knee as secondary to the right ankle condition due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has not been received, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless or in need of regular aid and attendance, nor does he meet the criteria for housebound status. As a result, his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for left ankle arthritis from February 3, 2007. The veteran's bilateral hip disorder is being addressed in the remand portion of this decision.