Ankle decisions — 2001

The Board denied compensation benefits based on the absence of additional organic orthopedic or neurologic disability resulting from VA surgery in May 1989.

The Board has vacated its decision and remanded the case due to new legal requirements from the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tendonitis of her ankles are now pending at the RO.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist scar was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 30 percent evaluation for his PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral ankle disability, skin rash, and prostate disability were denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral ankle disability, including her right ankle fracture and arthritis, is not related to her active duty for training. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the disabilities existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the service-connected right ankle fracture residuals and COPD, but granted service connection for a skin rash.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left leg and ankle disability related to her military service, nor does she meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for her left ear hearing loss. As such, both claims are denied.

The veteran's hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. Service connection for ulcers is denied. The right ankle injury with old avulsion fracture and the right foot injury with plantar fasciitis are both granted increased ratings.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right ankle fracture, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and his left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle injury warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, but further examination is needed to determine the extent of functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and temporary total ratings based on hospitalization, finding that there was no evidence showing a relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The veteran's right ankle disability did not require a period of convalescence beyond July 1, 2000 due to his March 2000 surgical procedure.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service connected residuals of a left ankle fracture and arthritis of the left wrist, finding that these conditions result in marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was initially granted as 10 percent disabling and later re-evaluated as 20 percent disabling effective from December 22, 1990.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD and left ankle injury were not incurred or aggravated during service due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a finding that his current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the service-connected right ankle triple arthrodesis residuals, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back injury, facial or eye injury, cellulitis, ankle disability, exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD, jungle rot, and hearing loss. The denial was based on a lack of competent evidence supporting these claims.