Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied, as his symptoms do not warrant such a rating. His scar due to a laceration over the left eye is rated compensably.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a medical opinion regarding whether his current left ankle disability is no more useful than an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis was also denied. The Board found no evidence of a right arm condition or right wrist sprain during service or post-service, and concluded that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issue of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right ankle disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine their impact on employment.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded for further development including obtaining medical records from Southern Ilocos Sur District Hospital.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorders are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected arthritis of the right great toe with hallux rigidus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right knee disability as secondary to a service-connected disease or injury. The examiner concluded that there was insufficient evidence to show a cause/effect relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residuals of a right knee strain, status post arthroscopic surgery with open lateral release, and her low back pain disability have been granted. Her initial compensable disability rating for her bilateral foot strain with plantar fasciitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left ankle disability, including any pain and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome with fibromyalgia is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his left ankle strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis are not found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist and hand disorders, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and TMJ (chronic pain), were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran did not have a current bilateral knee, right ankle, or left leg disability and the Board finds that his reported in-service injuries are outweighed by more contemporaneous evidence. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has found service connection for the claimed conditions, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran. The criteria for secondary service connection are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted statements were duplicative.

The Veteran's right eye disability had onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disability was permanently aggravated by his active military service. The Board also granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee patellofemoral pain and posterior tendonitis of the right ankle, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.