Ankle decisions — 2001

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the etiology and date of onset of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability. The case is being remanded back to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle has been evaluated as moderate, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder with degenerative arthritis has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder has not been rated compensably.

The Board found that the veteran's left and right ankle conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such in his service records. The Board also noted that the veteran did not have any ankle problems during his National Guard service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at Spring Hill Regional Hospital on March 8, 2000 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran's arthritis of the left ankle is granted as service-connected. The status of his hypertension and knots on neck issues remains pending.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of his left knee, right ankle, and left ankle. The RO had previously awarded a 10% rating for each disability.

The Board denied secondary service connection for right shoulder, left knee, left leg, and right leg disabilities all claimed as due to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's history of a right ankle fracture warrants a 10 percent evaluation based on arthritis and complaints of pain and limited motion. The preponderance of evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her right ankle disorder, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of her condition.

The veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, the highest schedular evaluation available for marked limited motion of the ankle. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee with residual instability and service-connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected deviated nasal septum and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for left ankle and neck disabilities. The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee disability and for left ring finger, long finger, and wrist disabilities are referred to the RO for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip sprain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The veteran's lumbar spine injury is rated as moderate with no additional limitation due to pain, spasm, or weakness. Bilateral tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. Service connection was also established for bilateral hearing loss and right hip sprain. A noncompensable rating has been assigned for bilateral hip tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disorder, including post-traumatic arthritis and chronic left lateral ankle instability, is a residual of his in-service injury. The Board finds sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these residuals.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability, which is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has right knee and right ankle strain, which were incurred in service. The claim for left ankle strain is remanded. Post-traumatic headaches are also granted. Service connection for lumbosacral strain was not established.