Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture has not been received, as there is no current evidence of a left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the right leg, left leg, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current right hip disorder and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right hip disorder. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a right ankle fracture was remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability effective September 16, 2005. The effective date was set at September 6, 2005, which is slightly earlier than the RO originally assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of prior service and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right thumb disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any in-service injury. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including dermatitis, PTSD, hip and knee disabilities, muscle cramps, shoulder impingement, upper back condition, cervical spine syndrome (neck condition), low back disability, and ankle disability. The appeals are all now denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle Achilles tendonitis and low back disability were denied. The Veteran was also denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disease, GERD with irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a post-operative left ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right tibial osteoid osteoma. The remaining claims, including those for secondary service connection and increased rating, are referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture and hypertension have been granted initial disability evaluations, with the left ankle fracture receiving a maximum of 20 percent since November 29, 2007.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for her service-connected right ankle sprain. The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of her disability, and thus remands the case back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance, as she can manage most of her daily personal needs without assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 30 percent, has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's kidney stones, right eye disability, elbow disability, periodontal disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, CAD, PVD of the right subclavian artery, GERD, IBS, fracture of the left ankle, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 20 percent initial rating for PVD of the right subclavian artery.