Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at T6-7 status post discectomies with screws is currently rated as 20% disabling.,The Veteran's service-connected post-operative arthritis of the right ankle is currently rated as 10% disabling.,There is no compensable disability assigned for removal of post portion of left rib number 8.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left leg disability, left ankle disability, and blastocystis nominis. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is not being reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new and material evidence have been denied. The initial compensable ratings for residual scars on the dorsolateral aspect of both ankles were granted.

The Veteran's right and left ankle degenerative joint diseases are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are also currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. Higher evaluations are not warranted for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected scar and right ankle fracture have not been found to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence indicating a causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, except for tinnitus. Therefore, service connection was denied for all other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has chronic service-connected disabilities of the left ankle and right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including obtaining private hospital records from Sioux Lookout General Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to new evidence and additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a fractured right ankle, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of the back, hips, ankles, right knee, or feet that is related to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting service connection for any of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its complications were denied as there was no diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder prior to February 20, 2003 was not granted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for tinnitus prior to April 14, 2003 was denied as the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service.,An effective date prior to February 20, 2003 for an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the distal medial malleolus and distal fibula with post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was denied as there was no increase in disability prior to that date.,A total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability from March 2004, when the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work within one year, was granted effective July 31, 2004.,Initial ratings of greater than 50 percent and greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder were denied as the symptoms did not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,A rating higher than 20 percent for residuals of fractures of the distal medial malleolus and distal fibula with post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was denied due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or malunion.,A compensable rating for residuals of a right heminephrectomy was not granted as there were no requirements met under VA's criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, arthralgia of the shoulders and ankles, and stomach disorder due to a lack of current disabilities. The Veteran is also no longer entitled to service connection for bilateral ankle disorders as they were granted separately.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including visual disability, arthritis of the feet (gout), fractured ankles, prostate cancer, heart disability, and COPD, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected conditions were denied. The VA examinations and medical records did not support the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.