Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, disorders of the knees, ankles, and feet. The claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD is also considered.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to September 12, 2009 and at 20 percent effective from that date.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches were denied.

The Veteran's left ankle fusion with left calf atrophy is rated as 40 percent disabling, the highest rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot, ankle and hip injuries, as well as vision loss and hypertension secondary to diabetes, were denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not unemployable by reason of service-connected disability for the period from November 29, 2006, through March 27, 2008.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board finds that his condition warrants a higher evaluation due to its severity and functional impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as his right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left ankle disability, irritable bowel syndrome, nonspecific dermatitis of the back (formerly described as vitiligo), and sediment deposits on the brain with enlarged sella turcica and headaches do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for depression as secondary to his ankle fractures is also related to the main issue of loss of use of both feet.

The Veteran's claimed conditions (degenerative arthritis of the ankles and knees) were not shown in service or within one year after service. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to events during service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle condition based on new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for the right ankle condition.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent right ankle disability ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of 'marked' limitation of motion or other criteria warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for most conditions, and there was no indication of any exposure to known causative agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of or post-service treatment for a bilateral ankle disorder, and therefore service connection is denied. For his pes planus claim, the Board found no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is service-connected, as it resulted from an injury sustained during active service.