Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have not been well grounded and are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if new evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the appellant's residuals of a left ankle sprain, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, headaches, and a low back condition must be remanded due to incomplete information provided by the veteran regarding his alleged stressors in service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right ankle injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and incomplete records, requiring further examination and review of the claims file.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's claimed left ankle disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, respiratory disability, and right inguinal hernia residuals were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the left leg due to a shell fragment wound, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between service-connected conditions and post-traumatic arthritis, left knee, with instability and degenerative joint disease, left ankle.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an ankle disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left ankle is a result of an injury sustained during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's right ankle disability, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a ruptured disc of the lumbar spine and increased ratings for right and left ankle sprain with laxity. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders as new and material evidence was not received. The claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder is also denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as they are not severe enough to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, including a need for an orthopedic examination and review of the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, left ankle disability, plantar fasciitis, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal disorder. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing chronic disabilities in service or continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension as there was no diagnosis of the condition during service or at any point after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.