Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to the left ankle and foot warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as her disability is manifested by chronic ankle instability, bursitis, limitation of joint function due to weakness and fatigue, and pain on palpation.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the completion of appellate action, including obtaining additional medical records and affording the veteran with examinations to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected right ankle disability and nonservice-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for lumbar spine arthritis at L4-5-L5-S1, and denied the remaining issues.

The veteran's right ankle disorder has been reasonably shown to produce marked limited motion, but not ankylosis. The RO determined that a 20 percent disability rating was warranted for the residuals of a right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which the RO increased from a noncompensable rating. The current rating reflects his complaints of constant and chronic pain, limited motion, deformity, and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right leg with fracture of the tibia and arthritis of the right ankle with limitation of motion warrant a 40 percent disability rating, while his osteoarthritis of the left knee warrants a 20 percent disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The TDIU claim will be handled after the degree of impairment for his service-connected disabilities is determined.

The claim is being remanded for further evaluation and additional development of the case.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle since October 27, 1995. The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their specific diagnostic codes in the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for ankylosis of the left ankle and found that the veteran's service-connected disability resulted in marked interference with employment, but denied entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture with arthritis, postoperative status.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including a skin disorder and those of the left hip, lower legs, ankles, and feet, are denied. The claim for increased ratings is also denied.

The veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and traumatic arthritis of the right ankle are all found to be related to his military service. The residuals of a left middle finger shell fragment wound have also been granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Orlando VA facility.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability. The RO granted service connection for left distal fibula fracture and closed reduction and external fixation tibia fracture with iliac crest bone graft, but denied other requested benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The lipoma of the right costal margin is not considered disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle condition and headaches do not warrant higher ratings as they are currently evaluated.

The Board denied increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either version of the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, finding that it did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.