Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle fracture residuals, finding that there was no current disability and no evidence linking any current condition to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left clavicle fracture and right ankle sprain do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation higher than 10 percent for his service-connected right ankle injury, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new examination and opinions regarding the severity of the condition and whether any effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by amputation with prosthesis in place.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further evaluation due to incomplete medical findings and additional examination is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain, right ankle pain, and left ankle strain due to a lack of diagnosed disabilities. The VA examinations did not find any current conditions related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current objective disabilities of the right shoulder, right knee, or ankles related to service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right ankle sprain is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of left shoulder injury and cervical spine injury are each rated at 20 percent. These ratings are granted.

The veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left or right ankle disorders, and there is no evidence of service connection for hyperlipidemia. As a result, the claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection awards, finding that the appropriate effective dates were February 24, 1998.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, left elbow, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of more than normal range of motion or impairment.

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right ankle disability, service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to the right ankle disability, and TDIU were all denied. The right ankle disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral ankle disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and right ankle strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no current diagnosed hip condition. The left knee claim remains in appellate status due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed knee and ankle disorders are not service-connected, with no presumption of service connection due to exposure or other factors.