Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has found no evidence of a right Achilles tendon tear or any current right ankle disorder in service, and the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, substance abuse, low back condition, and right ankle condition. The claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation of the left knee condition was also denied as a matter of law.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to his in-service injury, and granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also found no evidence linking the peripheral neuropathy to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back and shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of current disability related to events in service.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder and a claim for increased rating for left ankle injury. The appellant's anxiety disorder was not shown during service or related to her service-connected conditions, while the left ankle condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as his requests for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of L4, L5-S1, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and migraine headaches. The appeals are now remanded to obtain additional medical records from VA Healthcare Center in Orlando.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for inflammatory arthritis of the elbows, right wrist, and ankles due to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee chondromalacia with internal derangement was granted a 20% disability rating, while left knee tendonitis received a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right elbow, chronic instability of the left ankle, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board found that the veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his service, specifically a sprain in June 1967. The evidence showed no chronic residual disability from this injury and post-service medical records indicated the disorder began decades after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic sleep disorder, chronic back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The conditions were not found to be related to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle fracture from February 14, 2003 through February 11, 2004.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the RO received a request for withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current right or left ankle disorders and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain injury is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his fatal cardiac arrhythmia was not caused by any disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim due to incomplete development and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and entitlement to an increased rating for his gunshot wound scar of the lower right leg. The evidence does not support a current right ankle disability or any impairment due to the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left leg and ankle disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of his discharge from service, and the preponderance of medical evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, and cervical polyp disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.