Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ankle pain did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for ankle pain is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of amputation or significant disability in the left small finger, right ankle fracture, compression fracture of the lumbar spine, or left knee injury. Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and for further consideration of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no current disabilities for the claimed conditions and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any of these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a left foot and ankle injury with fracture are not caused or aggravated by her service-connected lower extremity musculoskeletal and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU rating, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits in any of the issues.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle injury is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The VA examiner found marked limitation of motion in the left ankle but no ankylosis or other significant impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ankle disorder, residuals of scalp laceration, or right foot disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and treatment records from Dr. W. and Dr. T.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected right ankle disability, finding that it met the criteria for marked limitation of motion. The claim for service connection for headaches was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if there is a causal nexus between the Veteran's active military service and his current residuals of a right wrist injury and right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a credible account of personal assault. The left wrist disorder and right wrist disorder are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking them to military service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with a separate rating of 10 percent for heel spurs. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee condition as secondary to gout due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left calf and ankle disabilities secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left foot stress fracture. The case is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.