Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, pituitary macroadenoma and prolactinoma (claimed as brain tumor), a hip disorder, circulation problems of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral ankle swelling due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no current disability of the knees or ankles, and thus denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ankle disability. The veteran's stress fractures are healed, so she is not entitled to a compensable initial evaluation for residuals of bilateral stress fractures.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral ankle disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus, and thus secondary service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, left ankle, lumbar spine, and cervical spine.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 20 percent for the veteran's left foot disability and granted a 20 percent rating for his left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot and ankle disorder, identified as chronic Achilles tendonitis and chronic peroneal weakness. The veteran's follicular dermatitis and eczema are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash, chronic bilateral knee disability, and chronic bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative discospondylosis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral sacroiliac arthritis, as well as for residuals of a partial meniscectomy of the right knee with post-traumatic arthritis. The rating assigned is 20 percent for each condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities were denied. Service connection was also denied for his pre-existing pes planus. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post pelvic injury with residual of asymmetry of symphysis pubis was not granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issue remains whether he should receive an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation and clarification of the veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle and left foot disability during service or within one year after discharge. Post-service medical records do not document the current disabilities, and persuasive medical opinion against a nexus to service outweighs any other evidence.

The veteran's claims for various conditions, including a right ankle disability, skin disorder, bilateral foot disorder, neck disability, bilateral hip pain, PTSD, tinnitus, and hypertension were all denied by the VA. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, automobile and adaptive equipment, or special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform most of his daily activities without regular assistance.

Your appeal is being remanded by the Board to allow you to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher evaluation for his service-connected scars and gunshot wounds. The effective date remains October 15, 2003, and the rating of 10% is maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disability or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and service connection for these conditions is denied. The veteran's left retina detachment is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and low back disability, finding that they are not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The effective date of any benefits is not established.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and an initial noncompensable evaluation for left cubital tunnel syndrome, previously characterized as left hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating remains in appellate status.