Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left ankle disability was aggravated during service and whether his current left leg disability is secondary to his left ankle disability. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture. As such, these conditions are considered secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service injury and any current symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disability in service and denied the claim. Asbestosis was not shown to be related to service exposure, as there is no indication of asbestos exposure during service. The claims for tongue cancer, lung cancer, and testicular cancer were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for left ankle, left hip, left knee and low back disabilities to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC. The AMC will arrange for a VA compensation examination to reassess the severity of these orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, manifested by marked limitation of motion and complex regional pain syndrome, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, or major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of all evidence, including recent treatment records and a VA examination report. The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for prostate cancer will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence, including additional examination and review of medical records. The claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a chronic left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation, and concluding that any current disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle chip fracture residuals and pseudofolliculitis barbae with seborrhea dermatitis were denied by the Board. The rating for right ankle chip fracture residuals was found not to meet criteria for a higher rating, while the skin disorder claim resulted in a 30 percent rating from March 9, 2006 until March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain and sinus infections were denied. The claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia with GERD and gastritis was also denied as the disability is rated at its maximum of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent schedular rating from February 16, 2011.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for right ankle/foot disorder, left ankle disorder, and hypertension. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure.,There was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran had pre-existing conditions prior to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of service connection for sinusitis and an increased initial evaluation for migraine headaches. The claims for service connection for dyshidrosis of bilateral feet, a neurological disorder of the left hand (claimed as left palm nerve condition), TMJ, and bruxism were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, manifested by residuals of a strain, is due to an injury sustained during his period of active service. The claim for service connection for back disability has been reopened and granted. However, new and material evidence was not presented to reopen claims for left shoulder disorder and right ankle disorder.