Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, left ankle fracture residuals, and right ankle fracture were granted with noncompensable disability ratings. The Veteran was granted a higher (compensable) initial rating of 10 percent for the residuals of his right ankle fracture and a 10 percent disability rating for the cystectomy scar of the right foot (with fibroma).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his in-service injury. If the examiner finds a relationship, service connection will be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine strain is causally related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disorder in service or since filing the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions are not due to or caused by his service-connected left leg varicose veins. The VA examiner found no relationship between these conditions and the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a temporary file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of comminuted spiral fracture of the left tibia and fibula with post traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, and post traumatic arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a 20 percent rating for each condition.

The Veteran's left foot and ankle peripheral sensory neuropathy has been characterized as moderate, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board grants an initial rating of 20 percent for this condition since March 29, 2006.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for a right ankle disorder. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right ankle disorder and sinus condition, including whether these conditions are related to his military service. The claims will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the remaining issues on appeal, including initial evaluations for psoriatic arthritis and iritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of right ankle sprain with degenerative changes (osteochondral lesion) and mild laxity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the likelihood that his bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, and bilateral shin splints are related to service. Any outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for various conditions, including tendinopathy of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, ankle strain, tremor of uncertain etiology, and a gland condition. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, C5-6 and C6-7, was rated at 20 percent, while his chronic low back strain remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities and his lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee condition was denied because the evidence did not show a nexus between the current condition and service.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his pes planus with left ankle pain (left foot) was also denied because there was no evidence that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other symptoms. The Board finds that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.