Ankle decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirement for a total rating due to unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle sprain, and left ankle disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right ankle disability was denied due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition and a left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain. The VA examiner found no relationship between these conditions and the service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for his service-connected puncture wound scar, as well as the propriety of the initial evaluation assigned for his left ankle disorder. The appeal regarding the September 13, 1972, rating decision denying a compensable rating for the service-connected puncture wound is pending.

The Board denied claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the right and left ankles, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or other objective pathology supporting additional functional loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ankle does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain due to new and material evidence. However, it remains unclear whether the current condition is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cerebral concussion residuals and fractured left leg, as well as his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left lower extremity disability and low back pain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disorder due to new evidence submitted since the May 1988 rating decision. However, the claims are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability as secondary to residuals of a left ankle fracture, entitlement to increased evaluations for his left ankle and right little finger disabilities, and entitlement to an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for left foot and left ankle disabilities are not well-grounded, thus denying them.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, glaucoma, right ankle disorder, Chopart dislocation of the feet, and claw toes of the right foot. The appellant's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic degenerative changes of the left foot and ankle warrant a 40 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle injury residuals, and right hand scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a disability of the ankles and feet (to include consideration of all toes other than the right great toe) is plausible, and his appeal to this extent is allowed. The case is remanded in order to afford the veteran another examination to determine the nature and etiology of any disorders of the ankles and feet.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded, and he has presented credible evidence of current disabilities and a link to his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right ankle, left ankle, and low back disorders were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.