Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current right ankle disability is related to his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to lack of a current diagnosis and because the VA physician stated that the veteran did not have PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left ankle fracture and a TDIU based on service-connected disability. The veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture resulted in fusion of the left ankle joint, with no neurological or circulatory impairment.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, residuals, bilateral ankle sprain, a left foot disorder, and a low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied as he did not serve on active duty during a period of war.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected ligament and cartilage damage of the right knee, postoperative.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, left knee disability, and left ankle disability due to lack of medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's sinusitis with headaches is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or chronic osteomyelitis.,The veteran's residuals of a left ankle injury are currently rated at 20 percent and do not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of surgery with chronic osteomyelitis.

The Board has determined that since January 23, 2003, the veteran's gout of the feet and ankles warrants a 40 percent disability rating based on at least three to four exacerbations per year without weight loss or anemia.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disability. The claim for initial compensable evaluations for hypertension and osteoarthritis of the left knee is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the July 2004 VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the veteran's right ankle disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder as secondary to a service-connected low back disability and granted it. The veteran's current right ankle pain is found not to be related to his lower back condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle sprain, cold injury of the feet, or hemorrhoids related to his military service.,As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 25, 2005 at Community General Hospital is denied as he did not meet the filing requirements under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle sprain, left ankle disorder, and bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding request for a videoconference hearing. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability secondary to his service-connected right knee disability is pending.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and granted a 20% rating for the veteran's right ankle disability. The claim for an earlier effective date for the right forefoot amputation is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right ankle instability, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left arm soft tissue injury. The issues of service connection for a left hand contusion were also denied.

The Board found no current left ankle disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.