Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's bilateral ankle injuries and left knee disabilities, finding that the current zero percent evaluations were appropriate based on the lack of evidence supporting more severe disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder, both secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right knee injury. The claim for an increased evaluation for the residuals of the right knee injury is also denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and knee, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected gunshot wound of the left tibia with traumatic arthritis of the ankle. The August 1997 rating decision remains final.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right foot and ankle disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's left ankle disability, which causes marked interference with his employment in the sale and repair of major appliances, is entitled to an increased evaluation on an extraschedular basis. The highest schedular rating available for this condition is 40 percent, but due to the exceptional nature of the case, a 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of stress fractures of the ankles, major depressive disorder, and reopening a claim for service connection for headaches.

The veteran's increased disability rating claim for patellofemoral instability of the left knee was denied. Service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, were also denied. The claim to reopen a right shoulder disability was not granted.

The veteran's service-connected fracture of the left ankle is currently rated at 10 percent, and his claim for a higher rating has been denied. The Board also found that his service-connected disability does not render him unemployable.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury is well grounded. The VA will assist in obtaining medical records and provide an examination to determine if there is a current disability related to the injury in service.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, right wrist disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that there is no current right ankle condition to warrant service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral foot disability. The appeal was not about service connection at all, as the issues were related to the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his mobility issues and medical conditions, and does not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and proper rating assignments for his right knee injury, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right foot disorder with ankle problems.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have denied them accordingly.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right ankle fracture and sprain. The RO initially granted a 10 percent rating in September 1997, but the veteran contends that this does not adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that service connection is not well-grounded for headaches, bilateral ankle fractures, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim of a lumbar spine disability is granted as the veteran's current back strain with normal X-rays is considered to be related to his inservice lifting injury.