Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, but the Board finds that his service-connected coronary artery disease substantially contributed to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding whether a service-connected left foot disability aggravated or caused any current ankle/leg or Morton's neuroma disabilities. The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence remains pending.

The Board found that the appellant's left ankle and knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty for training, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since service connection was established. The VA examinations conducted during the pendency of this appeal have shown no more than moderate limitation of motion, and there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurologic disabilities, including hip disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, cervical radiculopathy, right thumb sprain residuals, left ankle sprain residuals, and dermatitis have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is not considered to be a proximate cause of these disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis of her service-connected disabilities, including the nature and etiology of her knee, ankle, foot, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain is denied as there is no post-service diagnosis of a left ankle disorder. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current disability resulting from an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for modest arthritis, medial compartment, left knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and incomplete record, requiring further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hip, and right ankle disability do not warrant ratings in excess of the initial noncompensable ratings assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for osteochondritis desiccans, residuals of shrapnel injuries to muscle group XIX, and abdominal scars. The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as zero percent prior to January 30, 2012, but the Board found that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted from that date forward.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and correctly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including obtaining records from private physicians and VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee replacement and ankylosis of the left ankle, have been found to meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypoglycemia, hypertension, cataracts, gallbladder removal, pes planus, left elbow and knee disabilities, left ankle and thigh disabilities, right knee and hip disabilities, lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, abnormal blood count, elevated cholesterol/triglycerides, ear pain, and rash on the back. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for residuals of a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis beginning on April 23, 2009. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis has been granted and an initial noncompensable rating was assigned.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for an increased rating was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent each, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination.