Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection due to incomplete information, need for further examination, and potential changes in rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and his basic entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability or continuity of symptomatology linking any current left ankle disorder to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to receipt of new evidence after a Statement of the Case was issued.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining employment records from the Tuskegee VAMC.

The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of right ankle sprain, which is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left foot disability and neurological disorder. The right foot and left ankle disabilities were found not to be of service origin or related to any service-connected condition. The low back disability was also determined not to be of service origin or related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and gouty arthritis. The claim for a dental bridge connection was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, right ankle disorder, sinus disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the appeal is REMANDED to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of right ankle sprain and granted it as a direct result, based on evidence showing in-service injury and chronic residuals.

The veteran's service-connected knee and back conditions were granted, with a 10% evaluation for each condition effective February 16, 2002. The left ankle tendonitis was found noncompensably disabling.

The veteran is appealing the December 24, 1943 rating decisions that awarded ratings for gunshot wound residuals of his ankles. He contends these awards were incorrect due to a severe muscle injury.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his knee and ankle disorders.

The Board found that the bilateral factor was properly applied to the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities. The veteran did not initiate a timely appeal regarding the effective date for his left knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that his bilateral foot disability did not increase in severity during service and was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found it was incurred as a result of service. The veteran's other claims, including those related to degenerative arthritis and undiagnosed illness, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hip and knee disabilities, headaches, memory loss, hypertension, vision problems, skin conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome, and libido issues. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The claim is now considered for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability on a secondary basis to the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The case is remanded for further action regarding initial ratings for left ankle sprain and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that his current arthritis is related to his in-service injury. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for further development.