Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability was granted a temporary total rating of 100 percent from November 7, 2000 to February 28, 2001. Subsequently, he received an increased rating of 30 percent effective March 1, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg rash and an increased evaluation for left ankle fracture residuals prior to August 18, 1998. The veteran's claim for increase in the rating of his left ankle disability was granted from August 18, 1998 onwards.,The evidence did not show that the veteran's current skin rash involving the legs is causally or etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for cellulitis of the feet and ankles, finding that no chronic residuals were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for diabetes mellitus, residuals of a left ankle fracture, hypertension, and PTSD due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's right leg and ankle disability, left ankle disorder, chronic laryngitis, bilateral fibrocystic breast disease, thyroid disorder, appendectomy, and therapeutic abortions were all incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disease with sciatica is service-connected and his right ankle injury warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and left ankle disability do not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating, respectively.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or left ankle disability during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractured left ileum with left hip pain, residuals of left ankle sprain, head injury with headaches and tinnitus, and appendectomy scar are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and to reopen his claim for right foot and ankle disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's chronic gas bloat syndrome with dysphagia is a new disability resulting from his September 1981 esophageal surgery.,His right ankle disorder, including failed right subtalar fusion and degenerative arthritis, was not caused by the April 1989 VA treatment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have progressive arthritis of the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, nor is any such disability related to an incident of service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the initial evaluations for the veteran's right ankle and bilateral knee/shoulder conditions were proper, with no evidence of marked limitation or ankylosis. The veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for these conditions effective December 2, 1995.

The Board found no evidence of current or past right ankle disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1967 rating decision that failed to assign evaluations in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bronchitis, otitis media, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and gall bladder removal, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's right ankle disability was also denied.

The VA denied a request for an increased rating of the service-connected right ankle injury, finding that the current disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his claimed left ankle disability, service-connected shell fragment wounds of the left upper and lower thigh with myofascial pain syndrome, and shrapnel wound of the left knee are not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were dismissed due to untimely filings.,The veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was dismissed as untimely filed after the initial withdrawal of his appeal.,The veteran's claims regarding right ankle, left ankle, and left eye disorders were dismissed due to untimely filings.