Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on additional functional loss due to pain or other symptoms. The current rating is considered appropriate given the evidence of limited range of motion and degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather specific disabilities and their evaluations.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability does not warrant a compensable rating as there is no objective evidence of limitation of motion, pain or instability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a rash in his groin area, a bilateral ankle and foot disability (clamed as soreness and cracking), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle sprain with arthritis and left knee disability, finding that the current ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, were appropriate based on the evidence showing marked limitation of motion in both joints.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence showing a causal relationship between the veteran's inflammatory joint disease and any incident of service, including his service-connected bursitis of the right knee. The arthritis was first shown years after service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, a left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from May 27, 2003 to June 15, 2005 and at 30 percent thereafter. The claim for increased ratings is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as the evidence did not establish that it was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder bursitis and denied service connection for navel pain disorder, muscle twitching, bilateral calcaneal spurs, and dermatophytosis. The veteran's claims for left ankle disorder, generalized weakness, and back strain are pending.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding no factually ascertainable evidence supporting such a date prior to March 7, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle and right hip disabilities are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion or other compensable functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tympanic membrane disability, low back disability, and ankle disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The hearing loss disability issue is addressed separately.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left ankle condition, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors or an injury. The right ankle claim is pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a back condition, a right wrist disorder, a right ankle disorder, a right knee disorder, or a right shoulder disorder as a result of his service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to his ankle disabilities. The case will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities, but denied any request for increased ratings. The veteran's left knee is rated at 10 percent for arthritis with instability, while his left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board granted service connection for osteonecrosis, right ankle and assigned a 20 percent disability rating effective July 31, 2003. The veteran's asthma was increased to 30 percent disabling effective September 28, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical service provided on October 1, 2003 due to lack of authorization and failure to meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.