Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus. The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of ankle strains due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of additional transportation costs related to the burial of her deceased husband, as he was not buried in a national cemetery or state-owned cemetery used solely for persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, migraine headaches, bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral shoulder disorders, a heart disorder, and a skin rash affecting the face, neck, and groin area are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the left distal fibula with degenerative changes of the ankle and residual surgical scars is manifest by a disability equating to no worse than marked limitation of motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. The claim is currently in remand status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a stomach disability (to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and bilateral ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed hearing loss or stomach condition that was incurred in service or due to Agent Orange exposure. The ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that there is no current disability of the right ankle and denied service connection for a broken right ankle. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was not addressed due to the overlap with PTSD, but the Veteran's complete service personnel file should be obtained and he should undergo a VA examination to determine if his claimed psychiatric condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for residuals of a march fracture of the left ankle was denied as he currently does not have any residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional action is required due to the possibility of missing records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The case will be remanded for clarification and further review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The initial noncompensable rating for asthma was granted, but the claim for an increase to a higher rating since March 10, 2005, was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet are rated at 10 percent since October 4, 2006. The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders as they were not shown to be related to his active military duty or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Board will attempt to obtain any relevant treatment records and provide the Veteran with a new opportunity to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening a claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability and seeking service connection for back disability, right ankle disability, and right thumb fracture. The Board has dismissed these matters as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral flatfoot disability and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability or coronary artery disease in service and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left ankle fracture, and left axonal sensory neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.