Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have granted them. The conditions include a right shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, chronic strain of the right ankle, schizotypal personality disorder, psychiatric disorders (including depression and anxiety), and sleep disorder.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's right ankle sprain warranted a 20% evaluation and did not meet criteria for higher ratings. Service connection was granted for sinusitis but denied for other conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability is denied. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture is granted with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected right wrist and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right ankle fracture prior to August 15, 1994 and for right ankle fusion were granted. The rating for the former condition was set at 20 percent, while the latter received a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of trauma to the left ankle, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate moderate disability. The diagnosis of gout in the left ankle is not well-established and does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by slight loss of motion and early post-traumatic arthritic changes, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of motion. The claim for an increased evaluation was therefore denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service medical records and other evidence. The veteran's claims for right knee and right ankle disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a ruptured right tympanic membrane, bilateral ankle disability, and irritable bowel syndrome are not well grounded. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain effective January 5, 1998. The veteran's claim for earlier effective date was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right knee disorder, service connection for a left knee disorder (secondary to the right knee injury), and service connection for a left ankle disorder. The right knee disorder is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for temporary total evaluations under both 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 and 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 were denied as he did not meet the criteria for either section.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, back, and hip disabilities are not well-grounded because there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus between his service-connected left knee disability and these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue, and no service connection issues are currently pending.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence of current chronic disabilities for the claimed conditions and denied all service connection claims. Service connection was granted for left arm scars.

The VA determined that there is no current right ankle disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication, including consideration of whether the appellant may be entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation based on hypothetical entitlement to a total disability rating prior to her husband's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active service, and arthritis of the feet, ankles, legs, hips, and back is considered well grounded.