Ankle decisions — 2005

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected back and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied all the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for chronic right and left ankle strains, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation given the current symptomatology is fully contemplated by the assigned ratings.

The veteran's conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, mild restrictive lung disease, erectile dysfunction, left shoulder dislocation, sinusitis, left ankle instability, and right ankle instability, are all found to be service-connected. The initial disability ratings for subacromial impingement of the left shoulder, urticaria, and sinusitis have been granted at noncompensable levels.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and denied all claims.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ankle injury.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the issues remain unresolved.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear and an initial evaluation of more than 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture. The VA found that there was no evidence of current hearing loss disability or significant limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, knees, and hips all claimed as secondary to pes planus.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent from September 29, 1998. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective May 22, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities. The claim of service connection for a right wrist injury was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability and remanded all issues to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA clinic records and scheduling orthopedic and audiologic examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bronchitis, bilateral ankle disability, cellulitis of the right leg, and a blood disorder secondary to cellulitis of the right leg. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for reopening any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for hypertension and an increased disability rating for his left ankle sprain.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other claimed conditions are remanded for further development.