Ankle decisions — 2004

The VA denied a claim for a higher disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, as the current 10 percent rating is the highest assignable under applicable codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle disorders, but these issues are now REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and an etiological opinion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and ankle are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a need for proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow epicondylitis, right elbow epicondylitis, low back disorder, right hip disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability. The reasons were that these conditions were not incurred or related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a service connection for any of the conditions listed, including hypertension, hemorrhoids, residuals of tympanic membrane perforations (tinnitus), right maxillary cyst, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and right leg nerve damage.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right ankle injury and assigned a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of service connection, July 6, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a bilateral ankle disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal with respect to a September 1995 rating decision, and therefore denied the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to the veteran's service, and denied his claims for service connection for back disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of an injury to the left ankle and PTSD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for PTSD was also denied due to lack of corroborating evidence.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's claimed arthritis of the right knee and ankle and his claimed osteomyelitis. The claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The decision is based on reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of a right ankle disorder, effective from January 1996. The issue remains in need of appellate review as the maximum schedular rating was assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint pains involving shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankle joints due to an undiagnosed illness and for increased rating for hypertensive heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on presumptive exposure to Gulf War operations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, finding that it was not incurred during service or due to his service-connected stingray bite scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with some issues receiving a noncompensable evaluation and others receiving compensable evaluations.

The veteran's right index finger is currently rated at 30 percent, and his left ankle disorder remains at a 20 percent rating. The appeal for an increased rating on the right index finger was granted, while the request for a higher initial rating on the left ankle disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD, a low back disability, a cervical spinal disability, bilateral eye disability, or skin rash. The right ankle and left knee disabilities are also denied as service connection is already granted for these conditions under another theory of service connection. The joint pain in hands, right wrist, and right shoulder, along with generalized muscle aches, have been previously granted service connection.