Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of her National Guard service periods.

The Board found no evidence of a current right foot or right ankle disorder as a result of service, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to both hands and feet, but denied the remaining claims as there is no current evidence of a disability or link to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to these conditions. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not interfere with his normal employability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for bursitis of the right shoulder, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), right ankle pain, and mitral valve regurgitation. The initial ratings assigned for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis at L1-2 and L2-3, hepatitis B, residuals of a stress fracture of the right lower leg, and residuals of a stress fracture of the left lower leg were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for urinary stress incontinence, but denied service connection for low back pain and ankle edema and swelling.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for left ankle, right knee, and right ankle disorders. The decision also noted that new and material evidence was not received to reopen previous claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and cardiomegaly (heart disease) as there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no chronic right ankle disability shown in service. The veteran's current traumatic arthritis of the right ankle did not manifest within one year of his separation from service.

The veteran seeks to establish service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture. The RO denied the claim in July 1998 and again in January 2005, but did not issue an SOC addressing the correct procedural posture of the case. The Board finds that additional development is required to put the case in proper procedural posture.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right hip condition and right knee condition, as well as his claim for service connection for right ankle sprains, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his time in service. The claim for a left ankle disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for various knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities.

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

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle arthritis and COPD are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The examiner indicated it is less likely than not that these conditions were caused by his time in the military.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, and plantar warts. Service connection was granted for tinea pedis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and asthma were denied in March 1985. The RO granted service connection for lumbar strain, acne scars on both cheeks, a left ankle disability, acne scars of the back, and rhinitis with an effective date of September 15, 2004.