Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is likely due to his service, but there is no evidence of a separate and distinct bilateral hip disability. The decision grants service connection for the ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, characterized by traumatic arthritis and probable osteochondritis dissecans, has been rated at 20 percent since June 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the current limitation of motion is within the scope of the currently assigned rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right ankle disabilities did not originate in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. The evidence of record does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and reopening of a left knee disorder claim were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or new and material evidence to reopen the left knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims for chronic right hip, right knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 1999 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhino-sinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle injury and a right leg disorder as secondary to a right ankle injury is denied. The September 2001 RO decision denying service connection was final, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an ankle condition (swelling), hammer toes, and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected due to traumatic arthritis related to an in-service injury.,The proximal tibial fracture with intramedullary rod insertion and metallic screws is also service-connected, likely resulting from a previous in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's low back disorder and left ankle degenerative joint disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The fatty tumor on the back of his head was diagnosed after separation from service, but is presumed to have been caused by natural aging.,The Veteran's fatty tumor on the back of his head was initially diagnosed in 2005 and is presumed to be related to natural aging.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent since March 16, 2007. Prior to that date, he was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, left ankle disability, healed fibula fracture, and scar have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing evidence and a request for a statement from Dr. D.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims, and the underlying claims of service connection were also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ankle disorder was first manifest in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, and the claim will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that would support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle, shoulder, knee, low back, and left hip disabilities were denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that further action is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his first period of active duty. Additionally, VA examinations are needed for fatigue, vertigo, bilateral foot/ankle condition, bilateral hand/wrist/forearm condition, and seborrheic dermatitis due to their complexity and the need for medical opinions.