Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's claimed conditions, including bronchitis, gastroenteritis, arthritis of the hands, a chronic back disorder, a chronic neck disorder, and hearing loss and/or tinnitus, are not shown to be related to military service. The RO has denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The RO has granted service connection for the appellant's right and left ankle and foot disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities. The initial evaluations assigned are 20 percent for each of the right and left ankle and foot disabilities, and 10 percent for each of the bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture due to new evidence submitted since the last final decision.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of determination of initial rating assignments for service-connected headaches, dementia, residuals of right shoulder injury, scars (frontal scalp, left cheek, right medial eyebrow, and below the right chin), and residuals of a right ankle injury.

The veteran's combined service connected disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that while he has significant functional impairment, it does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board found that the veteran's left hip, knee, and ankle disorders are not related to his service or any service-connected condition. The right thigh gunshot wound residuals cause severe impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current right knee, left knee, or right ankle disabilities and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle disorders, finding new evidence that supports a claim of aggravation during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent rating, effective October 6, 1999. The right ankle disability claim was denied.

The veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are manifested by slight limitation of dorsiflexion, no swelling or tenderness. The RO denied an increased evaluation for the right ankle fracture due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for postoperative residuals of a left ankle injury, effective from September 1, 1997.

The veteran's tension headaches are not found to be disabling enough for a rating higher than 10 percent, and his right ankle disability is deemed noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%), and he has other service-connected disabilities that render him unable to work. His hearing loss, hand injuries, shoulder injuries, ankle injury, wrist injury, and leg injury are all rated as they should be based on their severity.

The Board denied service connection for disabilities claimed due to Agent Orange exposure, NBC exposure, right ankle sprain, and left arm disability (excluding the service-connected left elbow arthritis).