Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension, a 20 percent rating for left knee limitation of flexion, and denied increased ratings for post-operative residuals of left knee meniscectomy with instability and unstable left ankle associated with left knee meniscectomy. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to her active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension. The cases of right ankle arthritis and left ankle arthritis are being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and left ankle strain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for PTSD and left ankle sprain was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, while his left ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not related to service, as there is no objective evidence of a chronic injury or condition during or following service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hearing loss, ankle disability, right leg disability, and hernia disability.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is rated at 30 percent, and his residuals of a right ankle fracture are rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of service connection for a left ankle disability and increased ratings for his elbow and ankle disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was aggravated by active military service. The right ankle, left ankle, and right foot conditions were not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left ankle as secondary to service-connected postoperative left Achilles tendon and initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of status post right and left wrist injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings for his service-connected left ankle fracture or chronic dorsolumbar strain, except for a temporary increase in rating from April 17, 2003 to July 19, 2006.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to assess the current nature and extent of his service-connected residuals of right ankle fracture with arthritis, including any limitation of motion and pain. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran will be provided with a Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these disabilities and they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, residuals of a left ankle fracture, and pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her service connection claim, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current right ankle disorder and her service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.