Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for avascular necrosis of the left ankle, status post fusion is being remanded due to a lack of complete medical records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left ankle injury, shin splints, and gastrointestinal disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions that is attributable to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ankle, cervical spine, and low back injuries were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been withdrawn.,Service connection is not granted for a left ankle disability. The Veteran's current ankle pain started in 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle motion limitation is granted, and his right and left foot disabilities are each rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or related to service.,The Veteran's left knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left ankle disabilities were denied by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right ankle disorders were denied as the current evaluations of 10 percent are considered adequate to reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel board hearing at the RO in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected scars of the head and body, residuals of left ankle fractures, and residuals of left inferior and superior pubic rami fractures. The lumbosacral strain has not been rated higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's left ankle and foot disability is related to his period of active service. The claim will be reconsidered after a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a hearing before the Board at the VA Regional Office in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral foot injury residuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as a bilateral ankle disorder due to foot injuries with osteoarthritis. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disability during service and denied the claim for service connection. The hearing loss in the left ear was noted on multiple enlistment examinations, but there is no indication that it began during service. The low back injury occurred post-service and not during any ADT or IDT service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow and residuals of a non-displaced fracture of the left ankle were denied as there was no evidence showing that either condition warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 40 percent under DC 5262, as there was no evidence of nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace. The current 30 percent rating remains appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral wrist and ankle disorders. The issues are whether these conditions are related to service, specifically cold weather exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left eyebrow scar and right ankle disability. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if any determination remains unfavorable.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD. The Veteran's left ankle disability is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's heart disorder, left elbow disorder, left foot/ankle disability, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The rating for the cervical spine disability has also been increased to 20 percent.