Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 27, 2001. The claim for an increased rating prior to this date remains pending.,For the hip condition, a 30 percent rating has been granted effective February 27, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia, right ankle disability, nicotine dependence, and chronic lung disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The veteran's left ankle arthritis is service-connected. The initial rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder was granted, but the veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran has no compensable rating for his corneal scar and no rating for his right biceps muscle rupture. Financial assistance claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 1982 RO decision.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain, right ankle strain, and left knee strain are each rated at 10 percent. The veteran is not entitled to higher initial evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the right ankle claim and concluding that there was no current objective evidence of a chronic back disorder attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ankle disorder was first manifested during his period of service and granted service connection for a chronic right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder and left ankle disabilities do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the foot, ankles, knee, and right hip was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certification of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated because he was shown to have maintained substantial gainful employment throughout the period of his receipt of pension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right leg injury residuals do not warrant a rating higher than the current maximum of 40 percent, as there is no evidence to support separate ratings for individual conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding no current demonstration of such a condition and noting that there was no medical documentation of its existence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints, knees, and ankles secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and an initial compensable evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and his current osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right leg fracture and ankle injury, as well as his left and right knee conditions, were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a right leg fracture and ankle injury.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and awarded a 10% disability rating for the veteran's left ankle fracture, finding that noise exposure during service caused his current hearing impairment and that he has moderate limitation of motion in his left ankle.