Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board found that the August 20, 1946 decision reducing the rating for service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right ankle from 50% to 40% effective October 14, 1946 did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the claimed bilateral foot/ankle disability and left thumb injury, thus denying service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for himself or leave the house without assistance, and he is therefore eligible for special monthly compensation on account of need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected postoperative residuals of right ankle sprain.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, but granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot/ankle disorder, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions, and did not find evidence of their onset or aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for torn ligaments of the right hip, fracture of the right lower leg with ankle involvement, and residuals of a tailbone injury.

The veteran's left ankle disability, resulting in ankylosis with limited range of motion, is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by his right ankle disorder. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of right ankle sprain was also denied as there was no evidence showing an increase in severity.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral ankle condition or back disorder, and the veteran's gastroenteritis was not shown to be related to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ankle condition related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The skin disorder, including psoriasis, was not shown to be related to service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for right ankle and right leg disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for his left ankle tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and subchondral cyst due to insufficient evidence supporting such a rating. The appeal was dismissed as moot since the issue of right ankle reduction had been resolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective date for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that his preexisting conditions were aggravated by service but not warranting an earlier effective date or higher ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities. The evidence does not show a chronic disability in service or any current disability that is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a loss of service medical records and requests that they be obtained from Womack Army Hospital. The veteran's claim for reopening his ankle disorder claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability criteria and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The other issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, acquired pes planus, and chronic headaches secondary to PTSD were also denied.

The veteran claims service connection for arthritis of the left knee, hands, elbows and ankles as secondary to his service-connected bursitis of the right knee. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to incomplete medical records and requests an addendum from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic disability resulting from inservice dysentery, dengue fever, or injuries to his right great toe, ankles, knees, or pes planus. The service medical records do not show any such conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear disability and assigned a 10 percent rating for post-operative left ankle instability. The claim for the right thumb ligament repair was also denied.