Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of service connection for a left ankle disability and increased ratings for his elbow and ankle disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was aggravated by active military service. The right ankle, left ankle, and right foot conditions were not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left ankle as secondary to service-connected postoperative left Achilles tendon and initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of status post right and left wrist injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings for his service-connected left ankle fracture or chronic dorsolumbar strain, except for a temporary increase in rating from April 17, 2003 to July 19, 2006.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to assess the current nature and extent of his service-connected residuals of right ankle fracture with arthritis, including any limitation of motion and pain. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran will be provided with a Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these disabilities and they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, residuals of a left ankle fracture, and pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her service connection claim, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current right ankle disorder and her service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture has not been received, as there is no current evidence of a left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the right leg, left leg, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current right hip disorder and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right hip disorder. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a right ankle fracture was remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability effective September 16, 2005. The effective date was set at September 6, 2005, which is slightly earlier than the RO originally assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of prior service and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right thumb disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any in-service injury. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeal.