Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left elbow, knee, and ankle disorders did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in chronic disability or persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by limitation of motion that more nearly approximates marked impairment, and the assigned rating of 20 percent adequately reflects this.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease with myocardial infarction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, insomnia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headaches, shortness of breath or respiratory disease, circulatory insufficiency of the legs and feet (peripheral vascular disease), bilateral ankle edema, blurry vision, and gout were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his military service and did not arise from herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee condition or right ankle arthritis, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Board found that the appellant does not have qualifying service for VA non-service-connected pension benefits and denied his claims for service connection for arthritis of both knees, arthritis of both ankles, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing notice to the Veteran regarding his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated, and the appeal is denied as there are no new or material issues to reopen. The current evaluations for each condition remain unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and further efforts are required to obtain these records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right ankle disability, right shoulder disability, or bilateral hearing loss that is related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, and right foot disorder secondary to left ankle fracture. However, these claims were ultimately denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and active military service.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and incomplete VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of right ankle sprain was denied by the Board. The RO initially granted a 20 percent rating in April 2003, effective July 15, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for right shin splints and right ankle tendonitis, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the knees.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current right ankle and/or foot disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, to include a right ankle disability, will be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperaldosteronism, chronic right ankle arthritic disorder, chronic left ankle arthritic disorder, chronic right hand arthritic disorder, chronic left hand arthritic disorder, and chronic bronchitis. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.