Ankle decisions — 2002

The Board has granted an effective date of September 9, 1998 for the award of TDIU and denied entitlement to specially adapted housing.

The Board granted an increased rating for left ankle eversion with degenerative arthritis, effective prior to December 10, 1998, based on the pre-aggravation disability.

The veteran's service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle sprains are not shown to be more severe than currently evaluated, with no ankylosis or significant impairment of function.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective September 23, 2001, based on the combined service-connected disability ratings meeting the criteria for such a rating.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no limitation of motion or other impairment shown. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the initial and subsequent ratings for osteochondritis dissecans of the right ankle are proper, with a 10 percent rating from April 21, 1995, through August 7, 1997, and a 40 percent rating since March 1, 1998. The veteran's TDIU claim is addressed in the remand following this decision.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and low back disability, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial is both relevant to these issues. However, the reopening does not affect the merits of either claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder, a right elbow disorder, and high cholesterol. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine as it was a congenital defect. The right ankle fracture is currently rated at 10%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back, left ankle, and right elbow disorders.

The veteran's right ankle disorder and left ankle sprain with well-healed fracture are both service-connected, with the left ankle receiving a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the proposed reductions in disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, and asthma disabilities were consistent with VA regulations. The veteran is not entitled to restoration of previously assigned disability ratings or increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder. The veteran's current complaints of pain in both joints are attributed to injuries sustained during service, but no direct link is found between his current knee condition and those injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ankle disorder did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the right shoulder, right ankle, right knee, or left knee. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings of 10% were appropriate based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of insect bite to the left ankle warrant a rating of 20 percent, effective from January 1975.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle injuries and residuals of a left groin injury, concluding that his current symptoms are not related to any disease or injury incurred during active military service.