Ankle decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and lumbar spine are denied, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding no evidence of current disability linked to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance, finding that there was no evidence showing his outergarments were irreparably damaged due to a service-connected condition or that he wore a prosthesis or orthopedic appliance that tended to wear out his clothing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left ankle disability, and anxiety disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran likely has current left hip disability manifested by pain and bony changes as a residual of an injury incurred during his period of service. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that he has current dyshidrotic eczema of the hands that developed during service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the appellant's claims being well grounded, requiring VA to search for and obtain service medical records from various sources. The case is now remanded for further action.

The veteran's left foot disability was incurred in service, and her heart murmur was not shown to be related to service. The other conditions were either not found or are presumed to have been caused by the veteran's active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion due to painful motion and functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and denied increased ratings for the right ankle and knee disabilities. The veteran's conditions were found to be due to his military service, but no new evidence was presented to reopen a previously denied claim.

The Board has denied the extension of a temporary total rating assigned from February 17, 1999, to February 28, 2001, for convalescence following right ankle surgeries in February 1999 and March 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection on all four issues is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gout was not addressed. The RO denied the claim for hypertension in February 1996 and the veteran did not appeal this decision. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 26, 1984. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and left foot disabilities, resolving the veteran's appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for right ankle and knee disorders, claiming them as a right leg condition. The new evidence submitted did not provide sufficient material evidence to support reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, as well as his request for an earlier effective date. The issues of new and material evidence were also addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his active military service.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for service-connected cervical spine strain and lumbar spine strain, but denied service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain and head trauma.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine and left ankle disabilities have been granted initial compensable evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability is being remanded due to incomplete examination findings and the need for further development.

The veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disorders were granted service connection, while his low back disorder was denied an increased rating.