Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's current left ankle degenerative arthritis is not related to his period of active service or his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, left ankle condition, and neuroma of the left foot as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 9, 1986 for the grant of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities. The veteran's increased rating claims are also remanded for further development.

The veteran's initial rating claims for left knee chondromalacia and left ankle arthritis have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his left knee condition, effective January 9, 2001, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability of the left knee as of April 19, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a higher rating as it is currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder. The veteran's in-service injury resolved, and there is no evidence of any current disability related to his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease, status post fracture, results in a marked limitation of motion and warrants a 20% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder and left ankle disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for right ankle and right hand disorders, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and residuals of herbicide exposure, including chronic folliculitis, soft tissue sarcoma, and other skin disorders. Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of definite impairment or incapacitating exacerbations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, and hip disorders as well as a back disorder. The evidence did not show any chronic disability in service or within one year of service that could be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange or other known risk factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a bilateral foot disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the periods specified.

The veteran's twisted ankle, low back disability, and right knee disability are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the condition existed prior to service and there is no evidence of aggravation during service. The current diagnosis is considered preexisting.,The heart condition is also denied as secondary to hypertension, with the earliest indication being 18 years after service discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all claims of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and a right ankle disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injuries or diagnoses. The claim for drug addiction due to depression was also denied as it is not compensable under VA law.,There is insufficient evidence to establish the veteran's current conditions were incurred during active duty.

The veteran's right ankle fracture resulted in limited motion, which was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2007. After that date, the limitation of motion increased significantly, warranting a higher rating.