Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board denied all issues related to service connection and initial evaluations for various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle pain/strain is not due to the ankle sprains she incurred during active service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the right and left ankles have been rated at 10 percent since January 17, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, bilateral knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for post-surgical residuals of left wrist fracture is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety, residuals of rubella, right ankle disability, and left shoulder disability as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle fracture was caused by her service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right ankle and left knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and a right foot disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection was denied for renal trauma.

The Veteran's right ankle tendon rupture is currently rated at 10 percent, and he has also been granted a separate rating for his Achilles tendon scar. The claimant does not have more than moderate limitation of motion or functional impairment of the right ankle.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain was found to be at least as disabling as a 10 percent rating, but not more than that. For the period prior to April 23, 2008, he did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. For the period from April 23, 2008, his right ankle strain was found to have no additional limitation after repetitive use and thus does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right knee subluxing patella is rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to July 29, 2008 and denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent from that date forward. The left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the left ankle is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a right foot disability. The case is being remanded to complete necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date have been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for mental disability (generalized anxiety disorder), sexual dysfunction, right ankle and shoulder disabilities, and reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.