Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hip, ankle or right knee disorder related to his military service and it is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain, secondary to arthralgias of the bilateral hips, knees, and ankles is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee replacement. For the period prior to February 13, 2004, the rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement remains at 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of current neck, ankle, or psychiatric disorders and denied service connection for these conditions as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's gout of the bilateral knees, ankles, feet, and right elbow is manifested by incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year. The RO has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral chronic sinus tarsitis and ankle tendinitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture residuals are rated at 40 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in X-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or two or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating episodes; nor does it result in marked limitation of motion. The current 10 percent rating is appropriate based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, tendonitis of the left ankle, osteoarthritis of the right hip, and low back disorder have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder or left knee disability, and thus denied the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder is service-connected as it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's medical services at Cary Medical Center on October 13, 2007 were not authorized prior to the treatment and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disorder. The RO denied the claim on the basis of no current disability, but the Veteran testified to receiving post-service treatment related to his right ankle. The case is REMANDED for further development and an examination.

The Board found no current right ankle disorder related to the Veteran's military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service or as a result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for calcaneal spurs and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle was granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective January 20, 2000. Service connection was also established for allergic rhinitis with otitis media, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for residuals of a left femoral bypass graft, including left ankle and foot weakness, as a result of treatment at a VA medical facility in May and July 2004. The case has been remanded due to the need to determine if any additional disability was caused by fault on the part of VA's furnishing care.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, foot (pes planus), right leg, and hearing loss in the right ear disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 20 percent, his post-operative right ankle fusion with leg length shortening at 30 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent evaluation for residual muscle injury of the right calf. The Veteran does not have an initial compensable evaluation for his right heel fasciitis.