Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left ankle arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, right hip condition (to include arthritis), and dizziness. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle DJD, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of evidence showing ankylosis or severe foot disability.

The Board found that there is no current right ankle disability and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for residuals of a right ankle fracture, right ankle scar, and residual numbness of the tip of the right middle finger due to suture has been denied.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for folliculitis.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for left little finger fracture and increased rating for right ankle sprain were denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied neck strain was granted, but no new evidence was provided or considered. Other service connection claims remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel board hearing at the RO in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the Veteran's disability retirement status.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and examinations, including a skin examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a back condition and various knee and ankle issues, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent for moderate pain and swelling after prolonged standing or walking, with a range of motion from 4 to 30 degrees dorsiflexion and 30 to 34 degrees plantar flexion. The Board finds no basis for an increased rating.

The Veteran's low back pain is rated at 10 percent, and the other claims for service connection are denied. The effective date of this rating decision remains to be determined.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 21, 2006, for the award of a TDIU is denied as there is no legal basis for such an award.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for right Achilles tendonitis and service connection for additional right ankle disability, including recurrent sprains and degenerative joint disease. The AMC must adjudicate these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current knee and ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder and right tibial stress fracture were not found to be service-connected or warrant an increased rating, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed features, but denied his claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for status post operative residuals of a torn cartilage with degenerative joint disease, right knee. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sprain of the left foot and ankle was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated at 40% and effective from February 17, 2006. The disability picture more closely approximates the criteria for a 40% rating under DC 5270 (ankylosis of the ankle).

The Veteran's service connection claims have been granted for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left cheek cyst excision (residuals), eczema (dry skin), and several musculoskeletal disorders. The initial evaluations assigned are all 10 percent.