Ankle decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back pain, hallux rigidus, and left ankle sprain with instability were denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of left knee, ankle, or hip disorders. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is not currently confirmed in her case. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability from 10 percent to 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a future remand.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but some issues remain pending. The initial evaluations and ratings for several of the veteran's disabilities are also established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The appeals were also denied regarding headaches, neurological symptoms, skin rashes, and chest pain due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was not granted for treatment purposes of an active psychosis.

The veteran's joint pain, fatigue, and chest pain are not service-connected as they are attributed to known clinical diagnoses or unrelated to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of back, ankle, hip, knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The rating for varicose veins remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability and denied his claims for increased ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and ankle and knee disorders. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability in some cases or that the disabilities were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected, and he is granted a 10 percent evaluation for his right knee disability. The left ankle disability claim was not substantiated in service records. The cervical spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs, and residual dislocations of the 4th and 5th fingers are all rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, left wrist, and left ankle disabilities. The current ratings are noncompensable.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the right ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis, but granted a compensable (10%) evaluation for the right knee strain with synovitis as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right lower leg fracture, including ankle and foot issues. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation for his right ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his residuals of osteomyelitis of the right lower leg.

The Board has determined that the appellant's SFW scar above the left ankle was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The back injury claim remains unresolved.