Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for further development, including a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no medical opinion linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for an examination to assess his current disability levels.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to full range of motion and no marked limited motion in the ankle.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA has not provided an opinion regarding whether his service-connected conditions alone cause him to be unable to work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle sprain is related to his period of military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied as there is no objective evidence of record showing a current disability. The issue of service connection for GERD was also addressed and found to be denied.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and he was granted a compensable evaluation for PFB prior to October 10, 2006. Since that date, the veteran has been assigned a 10 percent rating for his service-connected PFB.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, a right knee disorder, and a low back disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left ankle Achilles tendonitis.,The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities in any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his right ankle disability, as he testified to increased symptoms and the need for a new examination.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for service connection are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's left ankle disorder, which may be related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 1988 denial. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a causal link between his current right ankle disorder and any remote incident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle instability with non-displaced fracture of the medial malleolus and postoperative sinusitis. The veteran is currently rated at 20% for his GERD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of residuals of a right ankle sprain or left ankle disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board is unable to definitively determine the current status of the veteran's left ankle condition and its relationship to service, including a 1978 injury. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and the need for additional VA medical opinions. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was listed as ischemic cardiomyopathy. She believes his left ankle disability contributed significantly or materially to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, granted service connection for Morton's neuroma of the right foot as secondary to a service-connected left foot disability, and denied service connection for a left ankle disorder.