Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed conditions for which service connection can be granted, including cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, a back disorder, an ankle disorder, headaches, or a skin disorder. The claims are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive a higher rating for his right ankle disability and when the service connection was established.

The Board has denied an increased rating for hypertension and remanded the claim of increased evaluation for joint pain due to undiagnosed illness. The case is now pending further development.

The veteran requested a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) and has since changed his mind, requesting a video conference hearing. The case is being remanded to schedule this request.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and left ankle disorder have been granted service connection, while his arthritis claim is denied. The veteran receives a 10% evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for shell fragment scars of the right elbow and both legs is denied. The May 1969 rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability remains final. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral hip disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle was increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective April 22, 2003.

The veteran's claims of service connection for right knee sprain, residuals of pneumonia, and depression were granted. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine if the veteran's right knee, lumbar spine, and left ankle conditions are proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound residuals were denied. The RO found that the disabilities did not warrant higher ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video teleconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions, as well as a request for an earlier effective date. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct examinations, and determine the appropriate disposition of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a cervical spine or ankle and foot disability related to his service. His PTSD is currently evaluated at 50%.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of his hearing requests.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for further examination. The veteran is requested to provide information about any relevant healthcare providers, including VA and non-VA inpatient and outpatient facilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for partial neuropathy of the left peroneal nerve, service connection for a low back disability, and service connection for a left knee disability. The claim for residuals of a fracture of the middle finger of the right hand was not addressed as it is not related to service connection.

The veteran's increased rating claim for his right ankle disability is being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and proper initial ratings on various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or an appropriate rating for any of the claimed conditions.