Ankle decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability was denied by the RO, and a 20 percent rating has been assigned since March 23, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic DJD of the right ankle is a manifestation of his service-connected residuals of a sprain of the right ankle and granted an increased rating to 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining evidence and records related to her service-connected left foot disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for history of a severe sprain with hairline fracture of the right ankle. The RO initially assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the right clavicle disability, which was not contested.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability, and there is no current evidence of peri-rectal warts or hemorrhoids. The dental injury from service trauma claim was also denied as there is no current evidence of a residual disability.

The veteran's hepatitis A and left ankle injury are service-connected, but his right knee disability is not. The Board denied the claims for hepatitis A and right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymia and right ankle sprain do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and right ankle disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of more than a moderate limitation of motion, which does not warrant an increase in rating beyond the current 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left ankle fracture is currently rated at 20 percent, the mood disorder with depressive features at 30 percent, and there are no current findings of right ankle or knee disabilities. Service connection for aggravation of pre-existing bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The veteran does not have a current right knee or right ankle disorder.,Headaches are not service-connected as they resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee, right ankle, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The veteran's PTSD, asthma, and other service-connected conditions resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent as of May 27, 1999. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are established based on when the disabilities became factually ascertainable.

The veteran's hip and ankle disorders are found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. His left knee synovitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a right ankle injury prior to July 1999 was denied. However, he received an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the right (major) elbow as residuals of a right forearm injury.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's left ankle injury residuals, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractures of the right wrist and left ankle have been granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities on the basis that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for instability of the left ankle due to a tear of the lateral ligament, which is more than the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's request for hearings at the RO via videoconference has been noted and will be scheduled. The appeal remains in remand status until further action is taken.