Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and shoulder disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the service-connected left ankle disability, which is more than the initially assigned 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle with limitation of motion was granted, and a 10 percent disability rating was assigned effective June 9, 2003.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was also granted, but no specific effective date is provided as it pertains to an earlier claim that became final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle injury residuals do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for various conditions, including service connection and increased ratings. The appeals were not successful in all cases.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension, asbestosis, and residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The veteran does not have any compensable ratings for his other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the left knee and right knee, ankles, feet, elbows, and right wrist. The claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence showing current lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions during or after service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available for marked limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and residuals of a left ankle peroneal tendon tear, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis with a C5-6 herniation, thoracic spine disorder, and left ankle condition were not incurred in service. The claim for an increased rating for chronic low back pain was granted but at a 40% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 28, 1996 for a compensable disability rating for residuals of avulsion fracture to the right ankle. The appeal is based on the veteran's original claim in March 1984 and his subsequent claims for increased benefits.

The veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.,Prior to December 7, 2002, the veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent. On and after December 7, 2002, it is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the current extent and severity of the veteran's right ankle disability, as well as whether she currently suffers from decreased visual acuity and/or iritis. The claims for an increased rating for the right ankle disability, service connection for an eye disability, and TDIU will be reconsidered after these additional examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right ankle fracture, residuals of a burn injury of the left hand, and bilateral foot fungus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and emphysema and pneumonia as a result of exposure to asbestos. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The RO increased the rating for degenerative joint disease at L3-4 with L5-S1 spurring from 20% to 40%, effective April 15, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to her service injury in June 1981, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left ankle sprains, as well as his irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.