Ankle decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability affecting his legs, including knees, ankles, and feet, that is related to service or treatment for his service-connected epididymitis. The claim for increased rating for chronic epididymitis status post right epididymectomy remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have additional disability of the right ankle as a result of VA treatment for his trimalleolar fracture in June 1986, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an amputation below the right knee and remanded the secondary service connection claims due to a need for additional medical evidence. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for right ankle sprain, stomach ulcers, and hypertension. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of evidence, including private medical records. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all added evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the veteran to appear for a VA examination and unclear notification provided by the RO. The claim is being returned to the RO for further development.

The appellant's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will schedule the appellant for an examination to determine the extent of her service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating of 10 percent for residuals of a left fibula fracture with weakness and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, finding that the increase in severity was first noted on May 25, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability, finding that there were no periods of time during which he was more than 10 percent disabled. The evidence showed moderate limitation of motion but not marked limitation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right hand numbness, left ankle sprain, PFB, and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability or a link to military service. The claim for residuals of an injury to the left middle finger was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO also continued the denial of his secondary service connection claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for frostbite residuals of the left and right feet and ankles, obesity, degenerative joint disease or generalized arthritis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), right radicular pain from lumbar spine disease (claimed as right leg paralysis), and individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reduced the veteran's rating for his service-connected fractured left ankle from 30 percent to 20 percent, effective September 1, 1998. The reduction was proper as there is evidence of improvement in the disability.

The Board affirmed the RO's decision to grant a 10 percent rating for residuals of a right knee injury with traumatic arthritis, effective from May 2003. The claim for increased ratings on other issues was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle, left knee, and right hip disabilities do not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities as well as pes planus, with a 10% rating effective from the date of decision.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability was incurred during service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining clinical/hospitalization records from Letterman General Hospital and any private medical care providers that have evaluated or treated him for his claimed disabilities. The appeal is remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed arthritis of the bilateral ankles is secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee disability are being remanded to the RO for further development.