Ankle decisions — 2002

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for a bilateral ankle disability due to new and material evidence presented since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the arches of the feet or bilateral ankle pain, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for residuals of a right wrist fracture, but denied any increase in the rating for residuals of a right ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of left ankle arthrotomy is denied, as a schedular evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not available due to lack of ankylosis. A separate evaluation of 10 percent is granted for numbness of toes of the left foot, residual of left ankle arthrotomy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture disability is no more than 10 percent disabling for moderate limitation of motion, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's low back disability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to July 31, 2001 and a rating of 20 percent from that date. The right ankle disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, residuals of a left clavicle fracture, and frostbite residuals due to lack of competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected left ankle disability was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and arthritis of the left ankle, but granted an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for residuals of a left ankle sprain.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current right knee or left ankle conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and low back disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence showing current diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently manifested by moderate limitation of motion, including pain. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain with degenerative changes is not warranted. The veteran is presumed to be totally disabled (due to permanent disability) for VA pension purposes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include hypertension, and granted it. The issues of service connection for other conditions are also addressed.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, finding that these residuals cause marked impairment in function.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The right knee disability is rated at 20%, but there are separate issues regarding left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board finds that arthritis of the cervical spine, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show that any current arthritis is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain, joint pain (unspecified), right knee pain, and residuals of a right hand injury.

The Board has determined that a compensable (10 percent) evaluation is warranted for the veteran's residuals of trauma to the left ankle, considering his complaints of pain and limited range of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for musculoskeletal chest pain disorder, post-operative residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst excision, and chronic right ankle sprain. The RO granted service connection for mixed tension vascular headaches, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine degenerative changes with muscle strain symptoms, and right knee retropatellar femoral pain syndrome.