Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right foot disability, including Achilles tendonitis, arch and midfoot muscular strain with synovitis, and forefoot synovitis, is currently rated at 20 percent before May 6, 2009, and at 30 percent from that date. The right ankle disability, including synovitis and ligament laxity, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he did not have any diagnosed conditions related to his active or reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a left ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right eye disability, hepatitis, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and right foot and ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule him for appropriate examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any current left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, right ankle sprain, or eye disorder. The AOJ will then review the claims file to ensure that all development has been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current acne or bilateral ankle disabilities, and any pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the Veteran's claims regarding his foot and ankle problems.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined schedular 100 percent evaluation was denied as there has been no adjustment of any evaluation assigned for service connected disabilities prior to October 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, right ankle disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left ankle, and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral knee or ankle disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's reported symptoms are not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's pes planus is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and calluses. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders, right ankle injury, and left heel spur.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a compensable disability rating for any of the conditions listed.

The VA determined that the appellant's left ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher evaluation as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would allow for a higher rating. The clinical evidence did not show distinct time periods where the service-connected disability exhibited symptoms warranting different ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of open fracture left mid-tibia shaft, including malunion with moderate ankle disability, do not warrant a higher disability rating than the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and a low back condition, as well as the increased rating and separate disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle, right knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.