Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's knee and ankle conditions are being remanded for further evaluation as they may be related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, all claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shin splints of both legs with accompanying ankle strain do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral ankle disorder was not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral ankle condition, characterized by a 'popping' sensation of the tendon on plantar flexion, was not aggravated by service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for sexual dysfunction and renal stent placement.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear claims and a need for further examination to determine if current ankle or foot disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a chronic spine disability, right hip disability, and right ankle disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims for right hip and right ankle disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA. The issue of an increased disability rating for his service-connected right ankle disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to the need for medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and his claimed DJD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hips, knees, and left ankle.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and bilateral ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any service-connected conditions. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's current left ankle disorder is more likely due to a post-service injury and less related to an acute and transitory injury during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle condition secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine effective September 26, 1997. The veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities due to service and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disorder, left foot disorder, and residuals of a right ankle sprain (right foot disorder), as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.