Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, but remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability was reopened, but not granted. The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent and no higher.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was granted, while the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture before September 1, 2003, and a rating higher than 30 percent from September 1, 2003.

The veteran's left ankle disorder, characterized as residuals of a left ankle sprain, is rated at 10 percent and the Board found that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent was not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals, post-operative left ankle fracture was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The veteran's left ankle strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral shin splints, and determined that a compensable rating was not warranted for hemorrhoids with a history of anal fissure.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic right ankle sprain and residuals of left inguinal hernia repair were denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, rated at 60 percent combined, do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any regular substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and the criteria for a temporary total rating based on surgery and convalescence for coronary artery disease are not met.

The veteran's low back, L5 radiculopathy, right ankle, and bilateral pes planus disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, neck condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral ankle condition were dismissed as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability, a chronic respiratory disorder, and a bilateral ankle disability as there was no evidence of a causal connection between any current disabilities and the veteran's active service.

The veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his low back disability is not caused or aggravated by the service-connected left lower extremity disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left ankle disorder are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar intervertebral syndrome. The claims for a bilateral elbow disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and right ankle disability were denied.

The Board concluded that a current right ankle disability is etiologically related to service, granting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hyperthyroidism and a higher rating for the right elbow injury, but remanded other claims for further development.