Ankle decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of left and right ankle sprains, hypertension, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities, as well as her peripheral neuropathy, are currently evaluated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle and foot disorder with peroneal nerve impairment is currently rated at 10 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher evaluation based on the severity of incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination and in order to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back conditions as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The Veteran's depression claim was also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain was rated at 10 percent prior to July 25, 2008 and increased to 20 percent effective from that date. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current disabilities of the left ankle, right foot, neck, or low back that are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a jaw injury with teeth problems and residuals of a right ankle fracture were denied as there is no medical evidence indicating these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is denied as secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture and bone graft. The Board finds that the pre-existing right hip condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is likely due to his service, but there is no evidence of a separate and distinct bilateral hip disability. The decision grants service connection for the ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, characterized by traumatic arthritis and probable osteochondritis dissecans, has been rated at 20 percent since June 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the current limitation of motion is within the scope of the currently assigned rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right ankle disabilities did not originate in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. The evidence of record does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and reopening of a left knee disorder claim were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or new and material evidence to reopen the left knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims for chronic right hip, right knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhino-sinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle injury and a right leg disorder as secondary to a right ankle injury is denied. The September 2001 RO decision denying service connection was final, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an ankle condition (swelling), hammer toes, and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected due to traumatic arthritis related to an in-service injury.,The proximal tibial fracture with intramedullary rod insertion and metallic screws is also service-connected, likely resulting from a previous in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's low back disorder and left ankle degenerative joint disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The fatty tumor on the back of his head was diagnosed after separation from service, but is presumed to have been caused by natural aging.,The Veteran's fatty tumor on the back of his head was initially diagnosed in 2005 and is presumed to be related to natural aging.