Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left and right ankle disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability with arthritis and mild instability is rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's left knee disability warrants a separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis. However, the moderate instability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee and ankle disabilities are not causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to his service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury and denied his claim for service connection for left shin and ankle injuries. The right foot condition is considered to be directly related to his military service, while the left leg conditions are not supported by evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's knee condition, which may affect his claim for service connection for a right ankle fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has determined that the January 1999 rating decision denying service connection for an eye disorder, including astigmatism, is final. The additional evidence submitted since then does not meet the criteria to reopen this claim as new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied.,No new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right elbow, right ankle, and both knees with hypermobile joint syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining x-rays and providing VCAA notice. The veteran's left knee and bilateral ankle disorders will be evaluated by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both feet and specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle and foot disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to neurologic impairment, but did assign a separate 10 percent rating for orthopedic findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current neck, thoracic spine, lumbosacral spine, right knee, right shoulder, right hip, right calf, or right foot disability. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not interfere with normal employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle as secondary to her service-connected hammertoe correction. The lumbar spine disorder claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support either claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current right ankle disability to grant service connection for.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain involving the bilateral wrists, hips, and left ankle is presumed to have been incurred in service due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle fracture residuals and chest disorder are related to service, warranting service connection for both conditions.