Ankle decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those allegedly related to herbicide exposure, are granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's preexisting right shoulder, left tibia, and right ankle disabilities underwent an increase in severity during military service due to his active duty activities. Service connection is granted for these conditions on the basis of aggravation.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's laceration scar of the right ankle, post-traumatic headaches, and lumbar paravertebral myositis. The veteran is now rated at 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral hand disorder, bilateral testicular disorder, and hearing loss. The RO assigned maximum schedular evaluations for these disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his status post fracture left ankle, finding that the current disability evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate given the lack of evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran also has pending issues regarding initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbar strain with DDD and residuals of right mid-tibia fracture with right ankle sprain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right ankle and back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including verification of stressors claimed by the appellant.

The Board has determined that there is no confirmed diagnosis of right ankle, right knee, or left elbow disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including examinations by a neurologist and an orthopedist. The veteran seeks increased evaluations for his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left ankle and forearm.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current back, right knee, and right ankle disorders and his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease and sepsis, which was listed as a contributory factor on the veteran's death certificate. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's claims for service connection for knee and ankle disorders, stomach disorder (gastroesophagitis), peri-rectal warts, and dental injury from service trauma were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or chronic condition that is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, valgus deformity of both ankles, and post-operative fistula in ano. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and bilateral ankle disorders, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes as his combined rating is 40 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including a low back disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral wrist and ankle disorders, as well as chronic pain in multiple joints. The RO also denied her increased rating claim for her right knee disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under the applicable schedular criteria.

The veteran's arthritis of the left knee and left ankle are found to be related to his service-connected right tibia and fibula fracture with depressed scar and atrophy of muscles, which caused abnormal pressure on the left foot and leg.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back injury, skull fracture, lung/chest disorder, bilateral ankle injuries, left thumb injury, and gastroenteritis. As a result, these claims are denied.