Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability, finding that there was no current evidence of hearing loss or significant limitation of motion. The initial rating assigned for the left ankle disability is upheld.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle sprain in December 1992. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,The RO denied service connection for a low back disability and nasal deformity with deviated septum in November 1961, which is considered final. The veteran did not appeal these decisions. Subsequent evidence related to the ankle sprain does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right ankle injury or arthritis of the right ankle that were incurred in service. The evidence is insufficient to support such a finding.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain, postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claim for an extension of his delimiting date for educational assistance benefits was remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a rating decision.

The veteran's right ankle instability results in no more than moderate limitation of motion, which does not warrant a higher evaluation.,For the left shoulder strain, there is no evidence of ankylosis or other significant impairment that would justify a higher rating. The veteran has mild functional impairment with loss in range of motion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including records from his National Guard service and VA examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and increased ratings for the veteran's right foot navicular fracture residuals and degenerative changes in his right ankle.,The Board found that there was no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current right knee, right foot, and right ankle disabilities to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, which includes a fractured left ankle and posterior tibial tendinitis, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for right ankle fusion, status post poliomyelitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot, right foot, cervical spine, low back, right ankle and right shoulder disabilities were not present in service or until many years thereafter, and they are not related to service or to an incident of service origin, or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right ankle disability and service connection for cellulitis of the left foot with non-healing wound and ulcer. The right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected shell fragment wound of the distal and lateral right thigh with atrophy and internal derangement of the right knee with instability, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and PTSD, finding no in-service injury or disease linked to his current condition.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations have been withdrawn, and no allegations of error remain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating under the applicable diagnostic code, and thus his claim is denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions were granted with noncompensable ratings. The Board remanded the case to ensure proper notice and assistance, but no further actions are required as the veteran has received all intended benefits of VCAA.

The Board has denied service connection for hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as not currently demonstrated or shown. The veteran's claims have been reopened due to submission of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee strain and denied the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle tendonitis and an initial compensable evaluation for right hip trochanteric bursitis.,Right ankle tendonitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.