Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, left ankle and knee disorders, and residuals of a concussion, cervical spine injury, and back injury are not related to her military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board is dismissing it.

The Board found no credible medical evidence linking the Veteran's right ankle disorder to service or finding that it was caused by his service-connected left Achilles tendonitis.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder effective from December 1, 2002. These ratings are based on the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ankle sprain and lumbar strain were denied by the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hand, wrist, hip, ankle and foot disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. His lumbar spine and knee disorders are secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to address the nature of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's back disorder, foot disorder (pes planus), and bilateral ankle arthritis are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle surgery necessitated a temporary total disability evaluation from April 12, 2005 to February 8, 2006 due to convalescence. The extension was granted based on the need for continued immobilization of her right ankle.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional private medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis with nonunion of the talus was initially granted a 10% disability rating prior to April 15, 2009. From April 15, 2009, he is now rated at 20%. The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of ankle motion has been assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left knee and ankle disorders, as well as an increased rating for his right knee disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, right knee and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disability or in-service injury. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also pending.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his thoracic spine disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. His right ankle disability is rated at 40 percent, with no higher rating allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has caused marked interference with employment, warranting an extraschedular rating of 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right ankle. The appeal regarding service connection for a right hip disability is being remanded due to failure to comply with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is a result of noise exposure during his active duty as a helicopter pilot. The back disorder and gout are also service-connected, with the latter being linked to active duty service. The initial rating for ingrown toenail remains noncompensable.

The Board found no evidence of a low back condition during service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand and wrist disability and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of continuity of symptoms after service.