Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran is granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on the need for convalescence from January 1, 2006 to March 1, 2006 due to right ankle surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiac disorder, including mitral valve prolapse, is related to service and has granted service connection. The left ankle disorder was not shown during service or due to a disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the threshold service eligibility requirements. The Board found that his military service does not qualify him for VA pension benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and right ankle sprain with residual mild laxity and decreased range of motion, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbo-thoracic spine disability has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is still denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities as they are not related to his service-connected residuals of a fractured left fibula with left ankle strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The claims for increased ratings for varicose veins and service connection for knee and ankle disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep problems, stomach disability with nausea, bruising, chondromalacia of the left knee, chondromalacia of both knees, and arthralgia of both ankles have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his service, as it was caused by a post-service fracture. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his left and right ankle disabilities have been denied. The current ratings are considered appropriate.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed left shoulder strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a current bilateral foot disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle sprains have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) of the knees has not warranted an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diplopia due to right eye lid injury was granted, with a current disability rating of 10 percent effective March 19, 2008. Service connection was established for left wrist ganglion cyst and residuals of bilateral frozen feet (claimed as frostbite of the feet). However, service connection for a right ankle disability was not established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and right ankle sprain were denied because neither the Veteran nor his representative provided good cause for failing to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of rheumatic heart disease, including myalgia and joint pain, are granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, and leg disorders were denied as these conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle injury in service resulted in current osteoarthritis, and granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are related to service. Bilateral hearing loss and the rectal condition (including anal fissures and hemorrhoids) were not found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disorder, which she claims is secondary to her service-connected left ankle disorder. The Board finds there are insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder was aggravated by military service or if it is related to her pre-existing condition.