Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence supporting the presence of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle and right hand disorders are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is etiologically related to her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease with endometriosis and total abdominal hysterectomy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left ankle fracture have rendered him unable to work, effective from August 7, 1997. As a result, he is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle disability, finding that the residuals of the left ankle sprain manifested by dorsiflexion to 20 degrees and plantar flexion to 130 degrees with pain met the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as her disabilities do not render her helpless to require regular aid and assistance, nor are they so severe that she is permanently bedridden.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected residuals of left ankle sprain is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, including gouty arthritis, is not service-connected as it did not manifest within a year of his separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder, back, left hip, bilateral ankle, right foot and right knee disorders are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for a right hip disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim as he is not considered a Veteran for his service in September 2004, and therefore cannot be granted VA benefits for any consequent right ankle disability or additional secondary injury to his low back.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 4, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was not granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, right knee, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of extra-schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and potential unavailability of certain treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle injury with traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 10% and cervical disc disease before surgery was rated at 20%, but after surgery the rating has been increased to 30%. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and secondary service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the right great toe hallux rigidus did not meet criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent, as there was no evidence of claw foot or hammer toes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's previous denials of service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine at T5-6, and left ankle injuries are final. The additional evidence presented since those decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to address the nature and etiology of any current back and/or headache disorders.