Ankle decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle sprain and back disorder were denied. The claim for deviated nasal septum was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension is denied as he did not have active military service during a recognized period of war.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both claims for service connection and a rating increase.

The Board finds no evidence of current disabilities involving the eyes, low back or ankles. The veteran's service medical records do not show chronic disability in these areas. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury with arthritis. The veteran's representative requested a hearing before an RO hearing officer, but the veteran did not want one.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right knee or left ankle disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left ankle disability, and bipolar affective disorder. The VA found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The veteran's pension overpayment of $3,810.00 is waived due to undue hardship caused by financial constraints and the need for medical care. The veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right ankle and foot condition. The Board has determined that additional medical evidence and a remand are necessary to properly assess the degree of disability resulting from this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired disorder of the left elbow and an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The appellant's request for a personal hearing before the Board has been acknowledged, and he is scheduled to appear at such a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, a left foot disorder, and a skin rash on a direct basis. The veteran's current symptoms of a chronic skin rash have been clinically diagnosed as dermatitis and/or eczema. The Board concludes that giving the benefit of doubt to the veteran, the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected post-operative lacrimal duct obstruction of the left eye with history of epiphora are met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a donated left kidney, low back pain (claimed as arthritis), bilateral foot pain, right ankle pain, and high cholesterol. The evidence did not show that the veteran had any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations. The appellant's service-connected conditions are tinea versicolor of the upper back and a left ankle disability.

The VA has denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected right ankle fracture, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence shows moderate limitation of motion in the right ankle but no arthritis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to August 23, 1996. His TDIU was granted effective from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of cervical spine condition and service connection for residuals of right ankle sprain, right shoulder strain, left wrist injury, sinusitis/myalgia, and spinal tap. The veteran appealed these decisions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for right ankle edema, otitis media (right ear), and bilateral hearing loss. However, the claim for service connection for right ankle edema remains denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right ankle synovitis, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking a current right ankle disability to service.