Ankle decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability was increased from 10% to 20% effective April 17, 1997. The issue of a higher evaluation remains before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability and service connection for PTSD. The veteran was awarded a separate 10 percent rating for scars on his right ankle.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right local retrocubital ulnar neuropathy and postoperative residuals of a compound fracture, right ankle. The veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 100% evaluation, effective from March 1998. The veteran's other claims are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits will also be remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his loss of use of one or both lower extremities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left ankle disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The veteran continues his appeal for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for meningococcemia with septic arthritis, to specifically include left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The residuals of his in-service meningococcemia are found to be related to his current knee and ankle conditions.

Service connection for Morton's neuroma of the right ankle and sacroligamentous strain has been denied.,The veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia and ankle are currently rated at 10%.,A compensable initial rating (greater than 0%) is not warranted for the veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the left tibia.

The veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, resulting in the denial of his increased rating claims.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and new evidence. The case is being sent back for additional examinations and evaluations.

Your appeal is being remanded for further development by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that her left foot injury was not due to or caused by her service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's renal insufficiency and polycystic kidney disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee, which he treated with NSAIDS.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected fractured right ankle is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture and has found that the veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in this decision.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and denied service connection for a hearing loss disability. The veteran's claims were based on his POW captivity, but the denial of both conditions is due to lack of edema during captivity for heart disease and no competent medical evidence linking current hearing loss to service.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and secondary disability claims, including right hip, low back, left ankle disabilities; hypertensive cardiovascular disease; and gastrointestinal disorder. The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of these conditions.