Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and numbness of the right leg.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a broken nose and granted a 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of right ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis, but did not address the issue of higher ratings.

The veteran's low back syndrome and right ankle fracture with limitation of motion have been granted increased evaluations, but the service-connected right ankle disorder remains at a 20% evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 beyond May 31, 1999 due to insufficient evidence showing continued convalescence.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for unspecified dermatosis, swollen right ankle, and swollen hands. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a back injury, right knee and bilateral ankle and leg disorders are granted. The issue of service connection for a right wrist and right hand disorder is remanded due to additional development needed under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, cervical spine disorder (neck injury), left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or left ankle disorder. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent. The decision is based on moderate limitation of motion and instability.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to provide the veteran with a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The appeal is currently pending due to ongoing administrative actions.

The Board found that the veteran did not have arthritis of both ankles or diabetes mellitus incurred in service, and denied these claims.

The veteran's appeal is about the initial rating for his left ankle fracture. The RO needs to provide him with a copy of the Statement of the Case and schedule an updated VA examination.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee and ankle disorders, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of his right ankle injury and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his current condition and his active service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which includes limitation of motion and scars, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis, including of the left ankle and lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees, was incurred in active service. The RO previously denied these claims due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, skin disorders, an undiagnosed illness, gout, muscle tension headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons were that these conditions are known diseases or diagnostic entities and not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current bilateral knee, ankle, and right foot disorders and service. The psychiatric disorder was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

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