Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's history of a right ankle injury and assigned a 10 percent rating for his service-connected scar of the left shoulder, with retained metallic foreign body.

The veteran's leg ulceration and swelling of the ankles are considered to be a part of his service-connected varicose veins, which have been in effect since April 10, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of an injury to the left ankle. The claim is well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle injury, including traumatic arthritis, results in marked limitation of motion. The RO has granted a 20 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is not well grounded because there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The veteran's left ankle disability was evaluated at 20 percent for the period from August 1, 1997 onwards. For the earlier period (December 1, 1996 to July 31, 1997), his claim for a higher evaluation was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of secondary service connection for a right thigh disorder is not well-grounded. The claims for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for speech impairment and anxiety as secondary to canker sores are well grounded. The claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder is also considered well grounded.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis, finding that his symptoms are productive of impairment more nearly approximating the criteria required for a 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it involves ongoing disease process with marked limitation of motion. The current 20 percent rating is considered appropriate given the veteran's lifestyle changes and job adjustments.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the current right ankle disability to service, and denied the claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal because an adequate substantive appeal was not filed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability and finds that new evidence submitted by the veteran is sufficient to reopen his claim. The Board also concludes that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim, as there is no medical evidence linking the current left ankle disability to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar strain, chondromalacia patellae (bilateral), residuals of right ankle sprain, and flat feet. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation to each condition effective from July 1996.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current presence of such condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for ringing in the ears and residuals of a left ankle fracture with arthritis as secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with colo-spasm are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected condition.

The veteran's skin disorder of the feet and left ankle is productive of constant itching, exudation, and extensive skin lesions. The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including otitis media, multiple arthralgias, a left elbow disability, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, and residuals of a facial laceration. The evidence did not support these claims.