Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran does not have a left ankle disability due to injury that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for multi-level degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee arthritis, chronic left ankle strain, and left L5 radiculopathy affecting the left leg. The lung disability claim is deferred pending completion of development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, an earlier effective date for right knee disability service connection, and earlier effective dates for migraine headaches were not met.

The Veteran's current diagnosed residuals of right ankle sprain are related to his military service, and the Board is granting the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service connection for postoperative left shoulder bursitis and tendinopathy was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation initially assigned in October 2007. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent effective February 22, 2007.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis has worsened, requiring a higher disability rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide VCAA compliant notice.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder disability, right ankle condition (broken right leg), back disability, transient ischemic attack, and headaches have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee and left ankle disorders, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle arthritis and left knee disability are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his fractures of the right and left talus. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered primary to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right elbow disorder and nonallergic rhinitis (sinus disorder), but not for the claimed bilateral knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, left hip ganglion cyst, left foot disorder, right ankle disorder, head concussion injury residuals, or vertigo.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent left ankle sprain is manifested by complaints of chronic pain, weakness, stiffness, swelling, instability, giving away, and tenderness. Objective examination shows minimal limitation of motion on plantar flexion and full range of motion on dorsiflexion.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected interdigital neuroma of the right and left foot, nor did it manifest during military service. Therefore, she is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the loss of his claims file. The VA needs to rebuild the evidence file and request any additional medical records from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's throat cancer is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, residuals of right ankle injury, and right foot disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is denied as there are no diagnosed illnesses found.,Service connection for bilateral elbow tendinitis is denied as the condition was not incurred during active duty.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.