Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic disabilities manifested by symptoms of joint pain in the right and left ankles, right and left shoulders; of symptoms of muscle pain and numbness in the right and left arms other than carpal tunnel syndrome; and of joint and muscle pain and numbness of the left hand are being remanded for further development.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another.

The veteran's residuals of bilateral metatarsal osteotomy are rated as 50 percent disabling, and the rating for his left ankle disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hands, shoulders, ankles, wrists, and hips as it was unrelated to her service or any incident therein, and not shown to be a result of or aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including VCAA notice and obtaining of relevant medical records.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes cavus and denied higher initial ratings for lumbar spine strain, left hand fifth finger fracture, right ear hearing loss, left wrist condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and exercise induced bronchospasm.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of a back disability or hearing loss that was related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression, but denied other claims including those for migraine headaches, hip disability, muscle disability, anxiety, degenerative bone growths, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and/or adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle strain as there was no evidence that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's initial rating for residuals of a right ankle sprain with arthritis was denied as the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle injury, as the veteran's symptoms did not equate to or more nearly approximate marked limitation of motion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of bilateral ankle sprains and chronic bilateral foot disability to obtain additional evidence, including service medical records from the first period of service.

The appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service. The other claims were either denied or remanded.

The veteran's migraine headaches are not prostrating, and the cervical spine disability does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation. However, service connection was granted for residuals of a right ankle sprain.

The veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by no more than moderate limitation of motion, and a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings for rectal fissure with hemorrhoids, right shoulder tendonitis, left wrist fracture residuals, and right ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding no connection between the in-service complaints and the current diagnosis of right ankle arthritis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right ankle, right thumb, and erectile dysfunction disabilities as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis/diverticulosis, intervertebral disc syndrome, arthritis of the wrists and hands, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, post-operative muscle weakness and herniation, and a left ankle disability as there was no evidence relating their onset to service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a left ankle condition as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to any incident of service.