Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, residuals of a right ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, and a disability manifested by fluid/mucus discharge from the rectum were denied.

The RO has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, left ankle, and low back but did not assign any increased ratings. The case is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and is not related to any in-service injury. The VA examiner specifically addressed the veteran's claim, stating that the initial strain did not lead to the 1972 fracture.

The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's medical records and a VA orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right ankle disorder, as well as the nature and extent of his service-connected chondromalacia in both knees.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability have been granted initial evaluations of 20% and 10%, respectively, effective October 1, 1994.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his residuals of a right ankle fracture, with arthritic pain and osteophytes. The current evaluation is 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle disorder and concluded that the veteran did not have such an injury in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ankle disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service. The right carpal tunnel syndrome issue remains pending and will be addressed by the RO.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis, right ankle with plantar calcaneal spur and fracture is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a left wrist, left hip, right knee, or right ankle disability related to his service. The claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee and duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia were also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as prostatitis, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an initial rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for left knee degenerative changes, right knee degenerative changes, tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and left ankle sprain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The only service-connected disorder is a right knee disorder from August 1988.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a chronic recurrent sprain of the right ankle do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has decided that the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is causally related to his disabilities of the low back, both hips, and both knees. The case is remanded for further development on the remaining issues.