Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg, effective from January 12, 1998. The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities were also granted as secondary to his service-connected post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional notification and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for gout, residuals of a left ankle injury, and residuals for a left knee disability. The veteran was not shown to have current residuals of injuries to the knees or ankles noted during military service.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's left knee injury residuals, but denied service connection for arthritis of the ankles and feet.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of cerebral contusion with post traumatic encephalopathy and residuals of cerebral contusion with right hemiparesis, lower extremity, with significant right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, bilateral hip, and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence establishing a current disability or a relationship between any such disabilities and either service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD and service connection for hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of revised VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and potential need for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of chronic disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or a link between any claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling of a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's claimed stressor occurred during his military training. Service connection was also granted for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities based on new evidence received since the last denial.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right ankle disorder.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left ankle disability to her service or any incident therein, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disorders are not service-connected, while his pes planus is currently service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability, including the knee and ankle, as secondary to his right ankle disability. The case was remanded due to procedural issues related to VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chronic otitis media and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the remand section.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability during service or for many years afterward, and concluded that the current left ankle disability is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The VA denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and sinus disorder.,There is no evidence of any current disability related to the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his left ankle, knee, and wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and notifying the veteran about his rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.