Ankle decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left ankle injury and osteomyelitis of the left leg were denied as there was no evidence to support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the motor vehicle accident of October 21, 1990, occurred in the line of duty and service connection is granted for disabilities resulting from this accident. The veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left ankle injuries and secondary service connection for a right ankle disorder, including arthritis, as being related to the left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased the disability evaluation for the left ankle disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such an exceptional quality as to render her unable to obtain or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder secondary to service-connected pes planus, but denied his claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tricompartmental arthritis of the left knee, chronic right ankle disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, arthritis of the hands, wrists and fingers, and chronic osteomyelitis of the left ankle are all secondary to his service-connected postoperative residuals of right knee fusion.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claims for her claimed disabilities were not well grounded due to a lack of verified in-service injury and duty status.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and gastritis/peptic ulcer disease, but denied his claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine injury residuals, and right ankle fracture. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and confirmed the presence of a cortico avulsion fracture of the navicular in the right foot. The other conditions are not considered to be related to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet for a higher evaluation. The claim was also considered for extraschedular consideration but no such rating was warranted.

The veteran's left foot disability is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left ankle instability. His left ankle instability has been granted a 20% evaluation effective October 26, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right ankle and leg disorder, but the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim as there are no current residuals or diagnosed conditions related to his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ankle fracture and assigned a disability rating of 20 percent, which is higher than the initial noncompensable rating. The decision reflects that the veteran's left ankle disability results in moderate to at least moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain. The evidence shows continuity of symptoms from service, including a history of multiple ankle injuries and current complaints of pain and weakness.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disorder resulted in moderate limitation of motion, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further consideration of the issues. The appellant's claims for service connection are on appeal, but no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot and ankle disability was aggravated by service, but not due to any incident during service. The decision is granted.