Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed right ankle, left elbow, right elbow, or right wrist disorder etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral ankle disability, endometriosis, headaches, or lumbar spine disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board finds no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorders and ankle, hand, knee, and hip issues. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for deep vein thrombosis of the right leg was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating code.

The Veteran's effective date for a 20 percent evaluation of his right ankle disability is granted as February 1, 2002. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to locate her service treatment records and obtain private and VA medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture, postoperative, tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since July 2005. The VA examinations and treatment records indicate that the disability causes marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 20 percent under the criteria for traumatic arthritis due to trauma and limited motion of the ankle, does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct link to service. The heart disability claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran now has current diagnoses of these conditions, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating their claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for post operative traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is being remanded due to a scheduling error and need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary prior to further appellate review of the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine (originally claimed as a neck disorder), Achilles tendonitis of both ankles, and sinusitis.

The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran to address her claims of service connection for various conditions. The appeal is currently in remand status due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as the evidence is in equipoise, with the benefit of doubt given to the Veteran. The Board also found that his current ankle pain is not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee and right ankle, migraine headaches, and nerve damage to the left eye. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by a 10-degree loss of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, warranting a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has granted an increased rating to 10 percent for the service-connected right ankle sprain from June 1, 2007. There is no evidence linking the Veteran's low back disability to his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, including a fracture and pes planus, is currently rated at 10 percent. The most recent VA examination found no objective evidence of a left ankle disability with normal x-rays and no limitation of motion.

The Board found no credible evidence of current bilateral wrist, ankle, or spine disabilities and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the point that he is unable to perform the duties of his Master's Degree in Business Administration, and the occupation has not been found unsuitable due to his abilities and employment handicap. The Veteran has failed to cooperate with employment placement efforts.