Ankle decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his residuals of shell fragment wounds to muscle groups XI and XII are currently evaluated at 30 percent. The higher evaluations for the muscle group disabilities are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and an increased rating for his right ankle fracture. The claim for individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation to the fracture of the left ankle. Service connection was also established for first degree atrioventricular block, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinusitis, recurrent ear, nose, and throat infections, hiatal hernia, gastritis, and cervical spine radiculopathy. The claim for service connection for rib pain was denied as not well grounded.

The Board finds that a compensable evaluation (10%) is warranted for the veteran's right ankle sprain prior to February 19, 1998. However, no higher rating is granted as there is not evidence of marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a left ankle disability, and renal disease. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that there is no current left ankle disability attributable to service and the veteran's claim for a blood disorder (claimed as beta thalassemia) cannot be well grounded due to lack of evidence of active pathology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an umbilical hernia and a higher initial rating for his right ankle injury. The claim for umbilical hernia was found not well-grounded, while the right ankle injury claim resulted in a 20% rating.

The Board has found that the veteran's left ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of significant functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his service-connected left ankle and foot injury, left hydrocele, and enlarged right epididymis. The disabilities are rated as moderate under DC 5284 for the left ankle and foot injury, noncompensable under DC 7525 for the left hydrocele and enlarged right epididymis.

The veteran's claim for service connection and increased compensation has been granted, resulting in past-due benefits. Attorney fees are eligible based on the awarded amounts.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a compression fracture of the thoracic spine, residuals of left ankle stab wound, and chronic ear aches are not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's flatfeet were aggravated by active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims are denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are service-connected, and he also has current disabilities in his hips, knees, and ankles. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for chronic knee or ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that there is a medical nexus between the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and his service, making the claim well grounded. The VA will continue to seek additional records from the Navy medical facility in North Charleston.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not demonstrate an increase in disability that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increase in a 20 percent rating for his right ankle disability is denied.

The veteran's brain tumor in postoperative status is service-connected, and his tinea pedis was also incurred during active service. The other claims for service connection are not well-grounded.

The Board has found that the veteran's lumbosacral spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected left ankle fracture, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for the left ankle fracture remains pending as a higher rating is not granted.