Ankle decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his period of active service and therefore denied all issues on appeal.

The veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder and a separate 10 percent evaluation for her right ankle surgical scar.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were granted, with the left ankle area disability receiving a 10 percent evaluation and the other left leg disabilities receiving separate 10 percent evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not show symptoms consistent with more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis B, residuals of right ankle injury, and low back disability due to lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors and no current disabilities related to service.

The Board has denied all claims submitted by the veteran for service connection and an initial compensable evaluation for his right leg injury. The veteran's complaints of joint pain were not found to be related to specific injuries sustained during active naval service, and he does not have a current diagnosis of any ankle, hip, arm, or elbow disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, residuals of a right ankle sprain, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, headaches, and left leg disorder were not shown to be related to service. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected varicose veins of the left leg with recurrent stasis ulcer was denied from November 18, 1973 until November 22, 1982. From November 23, 1982 until February 22, 1987, he was granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a violation of the veteran's due process rights.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from engaging in some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms and functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for fibroma of the right femoral neck, effective from July 1995. The claim for an increased evaluation for nonunion of the medial malleolus of the left ankle remains denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his postoperative left Achilles tendonitis, citing lack of evidence showing any loss of ankle motion or other impairment.

The Board has granted a higher evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of right ankle fracture, and a 10 percent rating for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral ankle disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability (chronic ankle sprain) and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10%.