Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support a current disability or etiology related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA orthopedic examination and associating all VA medical records with his claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability is service-connected, as it is related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed ankle, hip, neck, and back injuries did not manifest to a compensable degree within an applicable presumptive period after service discharge. The competent medical evidence of record preponderates against a finding that any currently diagnosed ankle, hip, neck, or back disorders are etiologically related to an event of active service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have any of the claimed conditions and denied service connection for all three issues due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ankle or hand disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and the claim for a hammertoe deformity of the right foot due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left foot injury, including left ankle disability. The evidence submitted since the August 1982 decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and indicates that the veteran sustained a left ankle injury in service which continues to cause current problems.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the VA has not met the criteria for an increased rating of his left ankle disability.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and is granting it. The new evidence submitted includes VA medical records, statements from relatives and fellow soldiers, and a letter from a treating doctor who suggests a relationship between the current left ankle disorder and an old ankle fracture during active duty.

The veteran's appeal for pension benefits prior to October 12, 2001 has been withdrawn. The remaining service connection issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left ankle injuries do not warrant an increased disability rating as they are currently manifested by normal range of motion, no abnormal x-ray findings, and subjective complaints of pain with prolonged walking or standing.

The veteran's left ankle disability was granted service connection and rated at 20 percent from May 30, 2000 to August 11, 2004. The rating for the left ankle disability was increased to 30 percent effective December 1, 2004.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right knee strain and right ankle strain/ruptured Achilles, finding that these conditions are not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left ankle disorder, and low back disorder due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran died from cerebral hemorrhage, which was not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board found that the cause of death did not stem from any service-connected disability.

The veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disorder was aggravated by service, and his current chronic disabilities involving both knees, hips, and ankles are considered to be a result of this aggravation.