Ankle decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right ankle disability resulting from VA medical treatment on December 31, 2001. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide the veteran with an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 15, 2000 for the grant of service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders have been remanded due to the need for proper notification under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a).

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including obtaining surgical reports and treatment records from VA and private sources. The veteran's claim for an increased rating of her service-connected left ankle disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for an appendectomy scar and right ankle fracture are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, as there is no evidence of any current conditions related to his military service.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain are being remanded. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied, as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under current diagnostic codes. The initial rating for left ankle sprain is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right ankle injury are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for increased evaluations is denied.

The veteran's residuals of a fracture to the right ankle are not manifested by more than a slight ankle disability, and therefore, he is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the right shoulder disability and a 10 percent rating for the left ankle fracture, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability claim requires additional development due to a procedural issue with the delivery of documents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left shoulder, and right leg disabilities are also being considered.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder. However, there is no established chronic left wrist disorder in service or currently diagnosed.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected right ankle dislocation, effective from May 2005. The other issues were not addressed as they are being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle sprain and right knee strain were denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran has a diagnosed left ankle disability associated with his active service.

The veteran's service connection claim for low back disability (lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis) has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent. The other claims have not been decided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service, and granted service connection for most of the disabilities listed. The effective date is not specified.