Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right ankle disability and an increased rating for his right ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions.

The veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 10, 1994 for the grants of service connection for residuals of left ankle and left foot injuries are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the ankles and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records from his employment with the U.S. Postal Service and any other relevant VA or private medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and granted it on the merits, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding an etiological relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to be related to service. The evidence did not show a current right ankle disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if they are related to service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right ankle injury and hypertension, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of GSW of the right leg with MFB and limitation of motion of the right foot involving Muscle Group XI, effective from December 16, 2004, and a 10 percent disability evaluation for residuals of GSW of the left leg involving Muscle Group XI, also effective from December 16, 2004. The RO denied service connection for anxiety neurosis, cerebrovascular accident (thrombosis), avitaminosis, ischemic heart disease, severe anemia, osteoporosis, arthritis (diagnosed as osteoarthritis), peptic ulcer and cataract.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to dress himself, hold objects, walk without a cane, and feed himself. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for left foot, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders secondary to his service-connected right foot/ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including an amputation below the right knee, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including residuals of a twisted left ankle injury and low back disorder, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, rubella, bilateral hearing loss, and other injuries. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine and left ankle disorders due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty training.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability, respiratory disability, or hand tremors in service. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his periods of active duty.,Service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a vocational evaluation to determine if the veteran can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right leg/ankle fracture, claimed as a right leg disorder; the residuals of a splinter in the left hand; and a low back disorder. The veteran's pre-existing conditions were not shown to be aggravated by his Reserve duty.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse without children. The claim for pension benefits is denied.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine if the injuries occurred during Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty Training (IADT).