Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and other pertinent information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his right ankle disability and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless as to require such assistance.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current right shoulder, left shoulder, low back, right ankle, or left ankle disorders. Therefore, the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for the claimed conditions of bilateral knee, ankle, headaches, jaw pain, sinus, foot, and eye. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic stomach disorder related to the service-connected left ankle disability, and denied entitlement to service connection for the veteran's claimed right knee and right ankle disorders.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding that the evidence supports this level of disability based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of malaria or residuals thereof, and the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current back disorder or right ankle disorder are related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder with a subchondral abnormality, but denied the claims for shoulder, right knee, ankle, and cervical spine disorders due to lack of current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and no new or material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for a left ankle disability. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hiatus hernia with reflux and vascular calcification of abdomen, urethritis, squamous papilloma (claimed as nose cancer), headaches, hemorrhoids, ankle and leg weakness, neck pain, hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple cancers. However, the claims are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The Board has granted the veteran's motion to have his case advanced on the Board's docket and is remanding the issues of service connection for right ankle disorder and low back disorder to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and depression, as well as service connection for his right ankle disability. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's chronic left ankle sprain is rated as 10% disabling, and his pseudofolliculitis barbae is also rated at 10%. The Board found that the evidence supported these ratings based on current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of left wrist disorder, right ankle disorder, or otitis media. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tonsil disability, left knee and ankle disability, lower extremity swelling, eye disorder, and skin disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's appeal of the November 1, 2001 rating decision was not timely filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, hips, knees, and ankles due to a lack of evidence showing limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to VCAA notification issues and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's Achilles tendonitis, right ankle, is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing corrective VCAA notice and scheduling a video conference hearing.