Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's facial scars, left wrist muscle injury, right shoulder and neck muscle injury, left foot scar, left wrist scar, right knee scar, right lower extremity scar, and right ankle scar are all rated at 30 percent each.,Service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 22, 2009. Service connection for neuralgia of the left foot was also granted but without a specific effective date.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals since June 15, 2011, finding that his disability picture most nearly approximates marked ankle disability. The previous evaluations were found to be inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the left fibula with osteochondroma and degenerative joint disease of the ankle is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 17, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted in this case.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and concluded that the Veteran's right ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to service connection for status post lumbar spine fusion at L3-S1, but her claim for a bilateral ankle disorder remains pending as additional evidence and information are needed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is unable to determine if his stomach condition and hiatal hernia are related to military service due to lack of medical evidence. The right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and right knee strain claims have also been reopened, but the VA examination reports do not provide sufficient information on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability (Degenerative Joint Disease) and finds that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his military service. The claims of service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, and low back disabilities are also granted as direct service connection was established.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right ankle disability, service connection for a left ankle disability, TDIU, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim to reopen the psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left ankle degenerative joint disease and service connection for left knee and hip disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, foot, and chest conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his ankle disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but he contends for a higher rating. The claim is denied.,The Veteran also claims service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, which he asserts was caused by his service-connected left ankle disability. However, the evidence does not support this contention.

The Board has found the evidence currently of record sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for recurrent left ankle sprains. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, while the right knee and hip disorders are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current broken right leg or any other disabilities, and thus denied the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right ankle arthritis status post fracture of the fibula.

The Veteran's claimed right hand, shoulder, hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are not service-connected. His hypertension is also not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.