Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right ankle or knee disability during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic left ankle/heel disorder is service-connected, with no specific date provided.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and right ankle disability in November 1988. The veteran is now seeking to reopen his claim for right ankle disability, but the evidence does not support reopening of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and due process concerns, including obtaining an opinion on whether current ankle, knee, or back disabilities are aggravated by service-connected traumatic arthritis of the great toes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis affecting his cervical and lumbosacral spines, knees, and ankles as secondary to his service-connected burn scars. The veteran was also denied increased ratings for his third degree burn scars of the posterior left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and chest/back area.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is service-connected, and he does not have flat feet, a low back disorder, a vision disorder, a throat disorder, a left side injury, or a bilateral ankle disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of a right ankle injury, as well as benefits under Section 1151 for post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus.,VA compensation was also denied for the veteran's below-the-knee amputation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's right ankle disability, finding that his symptoms are manifested by painful motion and stiffness exacerbated on use but functional range of motion is maintained. The current 20 percent rating already contemplates marked limitation of right ankle motion.

The Board found no competent evidence showing that the veteran currently has a right ankle disability related to his period of active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for cerumen impaction of both ears, residuals of a left eye injury, hypertension, lumbosacral spine disability (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture), bilateral knee condition (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture), and right ankle disability (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture). Service connection was not granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disorder during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the current right ankle disorder is not related to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is for earlier effective dates for service connection and a total evaluation based on individual unemployability. The RO has granted these claims, but the veteran believes he should have earlier effective dates.

The veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted as of June 18, 2002. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date due to the criteria for permanent and total disability not being met prior to that time.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not proximately caused by VA treatment in October 1996, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The veteran's appendectomy scar is granted service connection. Service connection for low back injury and left ankle and foot injury are denied.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's request to withdraw their appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected left ankle eversion laxity and recurrent strains, finding that his complaints of pain and instability warrant this rating.