Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a right heel spur, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's dental disability claim was not established as compensable under VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, left ankle, right ankle, and left foot disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right or left ankle disability that is service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of chronic disability during the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and residuals of a head injury. The claim for service connection for depression was also reopened. However, the Board did not reach a decision on whether these conditions are related to service due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left foot injuries, residuals of chronic ankle sprains, as well as DJD of both ankles. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left ankle injury and osteoarthritis of the left hip, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and fatigue. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes, and multiple joint pain affecting the hands, wrists, fingers, knees, and ankles (including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient VA examination reports considering all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection, reopening claims, and evaluations will be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file to determine if his current right ankle and left great toe disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis and left ankle sprain disabilities were not rated higher than the currently assigned noncompensable disability evaluations for the period prior to October 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability, including chronic right ankle pain due to mild instability and plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a breathing disorder, but granted service connection for right ankle venous ulcer due to asbestos exposure. The Board found that there was no chronic right ankle venous ulcer symptomatology during or since service.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for left ankle instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with posterior tibialis tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right leg injury residuals, left scrotal mass, arthritis and bursitis of hands and shoulders, left thumb condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, left ankle disorder, right leg fracture residuals/pain, mumps residuals, hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia. The claims were denied as the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative changes are due to an event or incident of his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. For the period from July 1, 2008 to June 20, 2010, her right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent and from June 21, 2010, it was rated at 30 percent. Her asthma claim resulted in a denial of an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a left ankle disability, hearing loss, Meniere's syndrome, and a spine disability. The appeals are based on new evidence submitted after previous denials.