Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including as secondary to a service-connected fracture of the left tibial plateau.

The Board has ordered a remand to verify the Veteran's periods of service, provide proper VCAA notice regarding his claim for an undiagnosed illness, and obtain VA examination results. The appeal is currently in remanded status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disorder, allergic rhinitis, and heart disease manifested by first degree atrioventricular block. The Veteran did not have a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and deviated septum is granted with an effective date of November 9, 1991. The claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are denied as they were not filed prior to September 29, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is found to have its onset during service and granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, currently rated at 10 percent, is also granted as the evidence does not show that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left ankle disorder. The VA examiner found the current condition less likely than not related to service, but noted residuals of an in-service sprain and strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 10% disability rating assigned for tinea versicolor effective May 20, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The gallbladder disability claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, ankle, and knee disorders are not related to service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a healed fracture of the right ankle with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current range of motion findings.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied, as his symptoms do not warrant such a rating. His scar due to a laceration over the left eye is rated compensably.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a medical opinion regarding whether his current left ankle disability is no more useful than an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis was also denied. The Board found no evidence of a right arm condition or right wrist sprain during service or post-service, and concluded that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issue of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right ankle disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine their impact on employment.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded for further development including obtaining medical records from Southern Ilocos Sur District Hospital.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorders are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected arthritis of the right great toe with hallux rigidus.