Ankle decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle condition, diagnosed as residual of a right ankle strain, was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was not manifested by a marked limitation of ankle motion from April 9, 2010 to March 28, 2011. Therefore, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities warrant a 20 percent evaluation each, effective April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more complete service records and providing VA medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and finds no medical evidence linking his current complaints to service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, hemorrhoids, and right leg disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his knee and ankle disabilities do not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle condition since July 17, 2007. The evidence does not support a higher rating due to moderate limitation of motion throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, diagnosed as ankle equinus and instability of the ankles, was first manifested during his active military service and has continued to be diagnosed since then. The Board finds that this condition is incurred in service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for varicosities of the left lower extremity, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left ankle disability, which is rated at 30 percent under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 5262 (impairment of tibia and fibula), has been denied as there is no evidence of nonunion or malunion of the fibula with marked ankle disability, nor ankylosis of the ankle.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions and that they were not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee and left foot arthritis and hallux valgus disorders are not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his back disability. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely due to aging and anatomical factors rather than being caused or aggravated by any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened. The evidence now supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been manifested by pain and discomfort, but no limitation of motion. The RO assigned a 10% rating based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disability, service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left ankle fracture are denied. The Board found that the right wrist condition did not manifest in service or be related to a service-connected disability, while the left ankle condition resulted in painful motion but no ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle sprain was denied in December 2004 and is final. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to this issue, but it does relate to his costochondritis claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right ankle degenerative joint disease are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.