Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder, as well as his claims for low back, left leg/ankle, and right leg/ankle disorders. These conditions are all found to be secondary to the service-connected burn residuals.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee, finding that his current symptoms are more severe than previously evaluated.

The Board granted service connection for aortic insufficiency with atrial fibrillation and hypertension, assigning a 60% evaluation effective from November 19, 1998. The veteran's low back disability is considered well grounded but the right ankle sprain claim is not. The initial evaluation of his heart condition was increased to 60%.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is well-grounded, and thus VA must assist in developing facts pertinent to this claim. The RO should obtain medical records from any providers who treated the veteran for ankle problems prior to or since service, including Dr. Graham's treatment records.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected burn scars of the right foot and ankle, but granted a noncompensable rating for status post excision of carcinoma of the right foot. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing left ankle fracture did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of the veteran's low back disability to 30 percent, effective February 9, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee, left ankle, and low back disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and ankle disabilities are currently rated based on their severity, but do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing impairment, defective vision, skin disorder, verruca vulgaris (warts), bilateral ankle disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic headaches, maxillary sinusitis, thoracic spine disability, pes cavus, and left varicocele are not well grounded. The veteran's claims have been denied as they do not meet the threshold requirement for a well-grounded claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no competent evidence to support a nexus to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded and denied them.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left ankle, fibula, and tibia fracture; hypertension; irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease; kidney stones; and multiple angiolipomas.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the left ankle are currently productive of no more than a moderate limitation of motion, and thus an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted. The issue of asbestos-related lung disease remains unclear due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a lip laceration, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral ankle disability. The veteran's in-service stressors are recognized as credible.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right ankle sprain and service connection for eye injury. The claim for a compensable evaluation for laceration scar over left eye is pending.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for back disability is not well grounded due to lack of a chronic disability in service and inconsistent post-service medical history.,The Board also denied claims for service connection for right ankle disability, headaches, epitaxis (nose bleeds), and kidney stones.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for neck injury and face injury are not well grounded as there is no current disability linked to these alleged service injuries.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current ankle disorders, headaches, or stomach disorder to his service. The claims were denied as they did not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.