Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia and left ankle sprain, as well as a higher rating for the left ankle sprain, were denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia is not a recognized disability under VA's Rating Schedule and thus cannot be service-connected. For the left ankle sprain, the evidence did not show actual causation of the condition by exposure to herbicides or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of the appropriate rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle condition is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them from appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disorder warrants an initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective August 1, 2007. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected compartment syndrome of the left lower extremity is currently rated as noncompensable, and his right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee with torn meniscus, left knee, and left ankle are all rated at 10 percent, while his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected gout of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her service-connected disabilities, including examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left leg and ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no basis to assign a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his failure to respond within one year of requests for additional evidence, which was deemed essential for a proper determination on his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation for his right ankle disability was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA orthopedic examination to evaluate his left ankle disability, as there has been a material change in his condition since the last examination. The RO must also ensure that all requested development action has been undertaken and any additional notification or development deemed warranted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's ankle disorders and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for all issues except the initial rating for PTSD, which resulted in a denial. The Veteran also withdrew his appeals on other secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his spine, knee, and foot conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right ankle and left knee disabilities were denied. The maximum disability ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes have been assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema/rosacea is rated at 60 percent, and her right arm carpal tunnel release is rated at 30 percent. The Veteran also has a respiratory disorder (asthma) and a left ankle disability that are presumed to be related to active military service.