Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the right talus (ankle) is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders are not related to her military service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and right ankle sprain. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right knee and right ankle disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from March 5, 2012 to the present.

The Board has determined that the appellant's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and thus granted service connection for this condition.,Regarding erectile dysfunction, there is no indication of a direct link to service or any presumptive conditions. The issue remains pending as it does not fall under the presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain any outstanding treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin, lumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the ankles, knees, hands and elbows were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left big toe, right ankle, and left ankle disorders have been denied as there is no diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar fibroma of the left foot, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service injury. The issue of a left ankle disability remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability has been granted, but his claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (migraine headaches) and allergic rhinitis have been denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 2011 and increased to 20 percent since then.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current bilateral foot, ankle, knee or hip disorders and that these conditions are less likely than not related to his period of service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for an ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability or bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The Veteran's assertions of continued symptomatology since active service are deemed not credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left ankle sprain are not manifested by a marked limitation of ankle motion or ankylosis, and thus do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.,Prior to December 21, 2011, the Veteran's recurrent folliculitis of the arms and chest did not encompass at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected. From December 21, 2011, it has not encompassed 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability that is related to active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder requires additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.