Ankle decisions — 2005

The Board has granted an effective date of July 1, 1989 for the award of an 80 percent rating for the veteran's neurological residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh resulting in sciatic nerve impairment and left ankle triple arthrodesis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostatitis with urethritis, gout with mixed arthritis of the right ankle, and gout with mixed arthritis of the left ankle.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle disability and initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for chronic tendinitis, left hip. The effective date for TDIU was not addressed as it had already been granted prior to August 4, 1999.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ankle sprain causes moderate limitation of motion, but no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of marked limitation or functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus II, prostate disability, and left ankle and foot disability with a secondary right ankle disability were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or chronic conditions within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his back, right ankle, left ankle, or pulmonary disorders are not shown to be related to events during active service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and his left ankle disability does not warrant a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination of the veteran's right ankle disability and a determination on whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis with instability, effective from October 4, 2004. The veteran's right ankle and bilateral leg conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee arthritis and left ankle strain, finding that there was no evidence of a service-connected disability causing or aggravating these conditions. The highest rating assigned was 10% for each condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of his left ankle disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's left ankle condition is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine its etiology.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left ankle, right ankle sprain, and bilateral hip disabilities to his active duty service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent evaluations for the veteran's left (major) gamekeeper's thumb and left ankle sprain residuals.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his left knee, lower back pain, and ankle disorders was denied. The issues involving service connection were not addressed.,For the postoperative residuals of the left knee with degenerative changes, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 12, 2000 and on and after that date is not warranted.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current low back or left ankle disabilities are related to service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right ankle disability and service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his right ankle disability. The veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and an initial compensable rating was not granted for the bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus and plantar heel spur. The RO also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, a right elbow and/or forearm disability (other than carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist), separated symphysis pubis, costochondritis, athlete's foot fungus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.