Ankle decisions — 2009

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent since March 16, 2007. Prior to that date, he was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, left ankle disability, healed fibula fracture, and scar have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing evidence and a request for a statement from Dr. D.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims, and the underlying claims of service connection were also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ankle disorder was first manifest in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, and the claim will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that would support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle, shoulder, knee, low back, and left hip disabilities were denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that further action is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his first period of active duty. Additionally, VA examinations are needed for fatigue, vertigo, bilateral foot/ankle condition, bilateral hand/wrist/forearm condition, and seborrheic dermatitis due to their complexity and the need for medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee, left ankle, low back, or skin disorder that is related to his period of active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disability are service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for this condition. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed spina bifida occulta or left varicocele. There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his genitourinary disorder or right ear hearing loss. Headaches are service-connected, but the Veteran's claim for increased evaluation was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied for neck pain, left ankle sprain, right ankle twist/sprain, right knee pain, left plantar callus (claimed as left foot pain), and bilateral hand pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VA financial assistance for an automobile with adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment alone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, primarily diagnosed as recurrent right ankle sprains, is the result of an injury sustained in service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 5271. The Veteran's PTSD appeal was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an effective date of September 17, 1998 for the election of compensation benefits in lieu of military retired pay. The issue of calculating compensation benefits based on this election remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. The Veteran's left ankle and left arm disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle strain are currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation.