Ankle decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a perforated left eardrum is not well grounded.,For his bilateral hearing loss, the evaluation remains at zero percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left forearm, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left forearm.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and assigned May 14, 1997 as its effective date. The veteran's right great toe amputation with limitation of motion of the right ankle was already rated at maximum disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and an increased rating for right shoulder impingement. The non-specific dermatitis of the hands remains at a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, left ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, and deviated nasal septum are not well grounded.,Service connection was granted for a deviated nasal septum as it is considered new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities are well grounded. The RO granted service connection for these conditions, but denied the requests for increased evaluations.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of current bilateral leg disorder, right Achilles tendinitis, or left ankle disorder related to the appellant's period of active duty. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture residuals are not shown to be manifested by more than moderate limitation of motion with excess fatigability, and no related bony deformity or degenerative changes. Therefore, the initial 10 percent rating assigned following grant of service connection is maintained.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain residuals, including degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of functional limitations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a herniated disc at L5-S1, status post diskectomy and increased evaluations for cervical spine degenerative changes with radiculitis and right shoulder bursitis. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's increased hearing loss rating was granted with an effective date of May 5, 1993. His claims for service connection for left ankle and hip conditions were not supported by the evidence presented. Service connection for his back condition was established.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right below-the-knee amputation, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service-connected keratosis, palmoplantaris nummularis with dystrophic skin changes and ulcerations of the bilateral ankles.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected knee disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his residuals of a left ankle sprain due to lack of post-service medical evidence showing ongoing impairment.

The veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities have been rated based on their current status. The RO has denied the claims for restoration of a 10% rating for the right knee disability and an increased (compensable) rating for the left ankle disability due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination of the veteran's ankle disorders, including consideration of functional loss due to pain on undertaking motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for back disability and residuals of right ankle sprain, as well as a compensable evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The claim for increased evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right ankle disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current knee disability is not attributable to military service or an already service-connected disability, and thus his claim for service connection for this condition is denied.