Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left ankle disabilities are related to her service-connected right knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle condition as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty or his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound, right leg, Muscle Group XII was denied. The RO assigned the maximum available rating (30%) based on the severity of his muscle injury and neurological manifestations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for postoperative residuals of a ganglion cyst of the left ankle. The RO/AMC has ordered an additional VA examination to determine if this condition had its onset in service and whether it is related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is service-connected. The remaining claims for right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, are denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his 10 percent rating for a left ankle disability was denied as he failed to appear for the scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, or left knee disorder (secondary to his service-connected right knee disability). The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected status post avulsion fracture of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum evaluation available for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to June 16, 2003 and denied for a higher rating. From June 16, 2003, the claim remains pending as his disability continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, fractures of the right hand and fingers, head injury, dislocated jaw, neck injury, fractured right ankle, and black widow spider bite. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are not related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle disability and surgical scar of the left ankle were denied. The maximum rating (20%) was assigned for the left ankle disability, effective January 3, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disability. The issue will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities have met the schedular criteria for TDIU throughout the pendency of this appeal, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, cervical spine, left shoulder, and right foot disabilities. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.