Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis, finding that it is proximately due to the veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code is denied as his existing education and experience are adequate to secure and maintain employment in his chosen field.

The veteran's old fracture of the right heel and ankle has manifested in some pain, but without more severe current manifestation of disability regarding the old fracture which would specifically implicate another DC or indicate a moderate foot injury of some kind, an increased disability rating cannot be granted. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her disability of the sciatic nerve of the right leg is remanded due to potential jurisdictional issues.

The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea with snoring first manifested during service and granted service connection. For his bilateral ankle disabilities, the Board determined there was no evidence of chronic disability related to in-service injuries and denied service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The character of discharge issue is also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment or additional diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and factual errors in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal cannot be adjudicated on the merits at this time due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The case is therefore REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right foot and ankle, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left ankle sprain, as well as any evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left ankle sprain from March 8, 2001. The decision found that there was no evidence to support the veteran's claims.

The Board previously granted an increased disability rating to 30 percent for fracture of the transverse process at L1-L4, with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion effective May 14, 2005. The issues regarding prior ratings are being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory/lung disease (claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure) were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right ankle. The claim of service connection for a right knee disability was denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left ankle condition to his service, including a stress fracture in 1980. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle arthritis and right ring finger scar, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a skin condition, dysuria, depression, memory loss and concentration problems, bilateral ankle stiffness and pain, bilateral hand pain and swelling, DJD of the cervical and lumbar spine, and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Board concluded that these conditions are not related to an undiagnosed illness or any other known clinical diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for further assessment and examination.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis and denied an increase rating for prostatitis. The veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a mass on his right index finger, left knee disability, and left ankle disability have been granted.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher initial schedular rating and extra-schedular consideration for his left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.