Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also found that the veteran sustained a fracture of his right fifth toe in service, which is now considered service-connected.

The veteran's increased evaluation claim for his left ankle disorder is denied as the evidence does not show marked limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disorders, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and compliance with Vazquez-Flores requirements.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planovalgus and assigned a 20 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral chondromalacia was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and the need for additional evidence from alternate sources.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle and wrist disabilities have been rated appropriately, with no need for further increased ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the left 4th finger with avulsion of the long flexor tendon. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions, and therefore, service connection cannot be established.,Service connection for right thumb disability, left ankle disability, pneumonia or residuals thereof, and chronic rash of the arms is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability and service connection for a right ankle disability. The current evaluation of the right knee is 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no current evidence of such a condition and noting the veteran's history of previous ankle sprains.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of such conditions. The dental claim was also denied as the veteran did not meet the requirements for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability and the veteran's right ankle disability is not linked to service or any service-connected condition. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral foot or left ankle disorders related to the veteran's period of active service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no current, chronic disease process causing swelling in the veteran's right ankle and concluded that service connection for a right ankle disability manifested by swelling is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for the left ankle disability have been resolved in his favor, with entitlement to these benefits now granted. As such, the appeal is moot.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which is rated at 10 percent under Code 5271 (moderate limitation of motion), does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for marked limitation of motion.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including a right ankle fracture, chronic low back pain, hypertension, cervical myositis, arthritis of the left foot, depressive disorder, and morbid obesity, has been established. As such, he qualifies for special monthly pension based on this need.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ankle disability, neck pain, headaches, herpes zoster, and low back pain due to lack of current diagnoses.