Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle warranted a 10 percent disability rating prior to February 14, 1997 and a 20 percent disability rating from that date onward.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral hand pain, and shortness of breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure). The claim for a low back disorder is pending. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for a bilateral knee disorder or right ankle disorder.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation and TDIU was denied. The RO found that the veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected right foot disability, which includes a 40 percent evaluation based on nerve impairment. The Board also determined that he is not capable of engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bilateral ankle or knee disabilities and thus denied her claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of tibiotalar fusion of the right ankle, finding that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis in the ankle joint.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a 100% evaluation, and his claims for residuals of right middle finger injury, left ankle injury, and left knee injury are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the left ankle due to an injury during service in Korea. The Board found that the evidence is sufficient to support the reopening of the claim and granted service connection based on the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic disability.,There is no current evidence of a chronic sinusitis disability or symptomatology associated with the condition. The veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6510.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim and for an increased rating for warts of the hands. The veteran was not granted new evidence to reopen his right ankle sprain claim, but a 10 percent evaluation was granted for his warts of the hands.

The veteran's right leg scars are rated at 10 percent due to their hypersensitivity and limited range of motion.,The left leg scar is rated at 10 percent as it does not result in limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right, left ankle disabilities and back disability are attributable to injuries sustained during a parachute jump while on active duty. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hips and knees, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are related to his active duty service. The hearing loss claim is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's right ankle disability, which is manifested by limitation of motion, has been rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the current limitations do not justify an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle injury and bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during his active duty or reserve service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankles do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and left ankle arthritis, as well as his claim for increased ratings. The rating of 20% for the left knee disability prior to September 14, 1999 is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral periostitis of the tibias and residuals of a rotator cuff injury to the left shoulder are granted. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle injury and lumbar discogenic disease do not warrant an increased rating. The anxiety disorder is currently rated as zero percent disabling.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned noncompensable evaluations to all disabilities except right ankle arthritis and residual of fracture of the right fibula, which was rated at 20 percent effective December 1, 1998.