Ankle decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for claimed disability of hips, knees, ankles and cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include knee disability, ankle arthritis, and hip impairment, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment given his education and experience.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and tinea versicolor, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating to each condition since April 20, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ankle and right knee disabilities are related to injuries sustained during his military service, specifically in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding that the veteran's complaints of pain and swelling began during basic training and have persisted since then.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, including as secondary to a service-connected burn scar due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right ankle injury is granted, as there was evidence showing an in-service injury and current residual disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle arthritis and granted a 10 percent evaluation for his scars of the right ankle. The veteran's right ankle disability is considered secondary to his stingray bite injury, and he also received an increased rating for his scar disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including post-operative residuals of a right hip tumor (lipoma), rash of the crotch, face and shoulder, chloracne, arthritis of the fingers, right shoulder, right knee and back, arthritis of other joints, residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left ankle, and spondylitis were denied as these conditions are not presumed due to herbicide exposure or service connection is established on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back, right foot, and right ankle disabilities do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently evaluated.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have bilateral knee or ankle disorders and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and requested evidence. The case is now remanded for additional development at the RO level.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the evidence, including obtaining post-1998 treatment records and affording the veteran a VA examination of his ankles.

The Board found that the veteran's ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, residuals of a neck injury, residuals of a left knee injury, and a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability was previously denied by the Board. The Court has remanded the case to the RO due to inadequate VCAA notice and a need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the ankles, residuals of a left leg injury, and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of current disability due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.