Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroenteritis, residuals of a left ankle sprain, and bilateral hearing loss were addressed by the RO in an August 2003 rating decision, which was not appealed. As such, these decisions are final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current level of his right and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as a right ankle sprain/avulsion fracture, has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2008. The rating is based on marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including another VA examination to determine the etiology of his left knee and left ankle disorders.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for the Veteran's claimed right foot disorder, finding that it is part of his already service-connected right ankle disorder with periostitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The initial evaluations for the claimed conditions are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle sprain, right knee strain with arthritis, and lumbosacral arthritis and sacroiliac dysfunction with right radiculopathy were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and laceration of the left palm have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, residuals of left ankle sprain, and lung disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection on multiple conditions and did not assign initial ratings in excess of certain disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and found that the Veteran's current right ankle condition is related to his in-service injuries. The issues regarding compensable disability ratings for left ring and middle fingers, and right fifth finger have been referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, rectal incontinence associated with scleroderma, calcinosis of the fingers associated with scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, limitation of motion of left ankle due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, right knee synovitis, status post arthroscopy, flatfoot with left foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, flatfoot with right foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, are of such severity as to preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma and a left ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and finds that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. As such, service connection for a right ankle disorder cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right, left knee disabilities and low back disability are not related to his military service. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture is denied as well. Service connection for hepatitis C cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the likely etiology of his claimed disabilities and a rescheduled VA ophthalmology examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that there is no basis to increase this rating due to moderate limitation of motion. The issues related to secondary service connection for a right knee disability are also remanded.