Ankle decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fevers, chilly feelings, dyssomnia, aching joints, and a skin condition have been denied as there is no objective evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's recurrent right ankle sprain was granted an initial noncompensable disability rating, and service connection for Lyme disease was denied. The Veteran's right wrist condition claim is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for at least five years from the date of his separation from service, and therefore, he is not eligible for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's right hand and ankle conditions are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a right ankle injury, fracture of the medial malleolus with degenerative changes is granted. Service connection was established for this condition. The claims for service connection for skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left shoulder disorders, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, circulatory disorder, and sleep disorder are all granted as they are found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran does not have a left ankle disability due to injury that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for multi-level degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee arthritis, chronic left ankle strain, and left L5 radiculopathy affecting the left leg. The lung disability claim is deferred pending completion of development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, an earlier effective date for right knee disability service connection, and earlier effective dates for migraine headaches were not met.

The Veteran's current diagnosed residuals of right ankle sprain are related to his military service, and the Board is granting the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service connection for postoperative left shoulder bursitis and tendinopathy was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation initially assigned in October 2007. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent effective February 22, 2007.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis has worsened, requiring a higher disability rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide VCAA compliant notice.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder disability, right ankle condition (broken right leg), back disability, transient ischemic attack, and headaches have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee and left ankle disorders, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.