Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, arthritis of the right elbow, arthritis of the left ankle, pericarditis, and myopic astigmatism. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability was denied, with a current evaluation of 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his chronic sinusitis, right knee laxity and degenerative joint disease, or left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left ankle disability, and heart condition due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The veteran's military disability severance pay must be recouped from part of his VA disability compensation benefits paid for the left ankle arthritis. The appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination of the veteran's ankles. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS, Morton's neuroma of the right foot, and subtalar dislocation and torn ligaments of the right ankle. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for right ankle fracture residuals, which are secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The appeal has been remanded due to inadequate notice on how to substantiate the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, post-operative residuals of a back injury, tension headaches, and leg, ankle, and foot swelling as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The veteran's current conditions are found to be unrelated to his period of active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle swelling and depression due to the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's current ankle problems are not related to his service, and there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability manifested by ankle swelling. His depression began many years after service and is not linked to any incident in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of athletes foot, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or left elbow disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability is etiologically related to an injury sustained during active duty, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during his period of active duty for training and is related to service. However, there is no evidence of a right foot or ankle disorder in service, and the claim for residuals of a right foot and ankle injury was denied as it lacks sufficient medical evidence to establish an in-service event.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle sprain was denied as there is no evidence of any ankle disability since his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee disability related to her service-connected left knee disability or any other service-connected condition. The veteran also does not have a left ankle disability that is related to active service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left ankle disability was denied. The RO found that the current 20 percent rating adequately addressed his impairment, as he had some occupational impairment due to this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, knee, and ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent for the period from March 30, 1998 to March 9, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the current right ankle disability is related to service.