Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board grants an initial evaluation of 20 percent for residuals of left ankle strain, giving the benefit of the doubt to the veteran.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's right knee and ankle disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or additional service-connected conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and right ankle condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle pain with early degenerative changes is productive of a marked limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, including scarring on the right ankle, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or after service and no medical evidence linking the condition to in-service herbicide exposure.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left foot hammertoes, as well as for equinus deformity of the ankles.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability because there is no competent medical evidence showing he has a current ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical strain, residuals of vein harvest on the left lower extremity, right and left knee chondromalacia, and scar of the left inner thigh were denied.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle pain with lateral instability and in excess of 30 percent for chronic dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease to ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for blood clots of the left lower leg, left claw toe, and a back disability were denied. The claim to reopen for a left leg disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his right ankle sprain was denied, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The case is remanded for additional development, including providing the Veteran with proper notice and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his low back and left ankle disabilities.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left ankle and foot disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are service-connected as they are directly related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder with postoperative scar was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent, as the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities as there was no evidence supporting a relationship between these conditions and his military service.