Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis. The Board finds that he does not have ankylosis and thus cannot receive a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board found that the Veteran's gouty arthritis of the ankles was not related to his active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome is granted. The claims for atrial septal defect, bilateral shoulder arthralgia, and synovitis of the right ankle are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) was denied. His claim for increased rating for chronic lumbar muscular tear was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering the use of diagnostic code 5310.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of the right ankle surgical scar disability is September 28, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain is denied as the evidence does not show that he was entitled to such a rating prior to July 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. His claims for various disabilities and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are not before the Board.

The Veteran's impotence is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder. He also meets the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to his impotence. The right ankle peroneal tendinitis remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected right ankle injury and laceration of the right first finger.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his period of active service or if it was caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disorder. The right ankle disorder is granted as incurred in active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle strain, PTSD, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 level. The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for an appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, calcaneal spurs of the left and right ankles are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's gout of the knees, right ankle, and right wrist was not productive of a definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a year from September 27, 2002 to January 27, 2005. Therefore, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right ankle disability, and a bilateral shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have these conditions due to his service.