Ankle decisions — 2006

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his service-connected disabilities did not materially contribute to his death. The appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

Service connection for migraines and stomach disorder (claimed as gastritis and spastic colon) was denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle fracture residuals, pes planus, thoracic spine disorder, kidney stones, sinusitis/rhinitis/allergies, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), skin tumors (presumed due to herbicide exposure), arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), and sleep apnea was denied.,Service connection for right ankle fracture residuals was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a history of necrosis, is related to service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is granted.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent each, while his bilateral ankle disability is not compensable. The claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability, including arthritis, was not caused by his active military service from January 1989 to March 1992 and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right foot/ankle injury, and residuals of a left ankle injury. The claim for skin disorder of the feet is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or thereafter. The claim for eye disorder is also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for neck and back disorders, left leg and ankle disabilities, or diverticulosis. The veteran's statements were not considered credible medical evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left ankle and assigned a 20 percent disability rating, effective from March 2001. The veteran's left ankle disability is characterized by limited range of motion with mild crepitus and pain on movement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service injury. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional left ankle and right knee disabilities allegedly caused by VA treatment in January and December 1999, respectively. The case is being remanded to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the nature of these conditions and whether they are related to the alleged VA care.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before it can adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the veteran's hemorrhoids and postoperative septorhinoplasty.

The RO denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for swollen feet and ankles, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it did not demonstrate marked limitation of motion. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, ankle disorder, elbow disorder, knee disorder, and hip disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 28, 1997, for a 20 percent rating for his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no medical evidence indicating current diagnoses.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder, back, left hip, left knee, and right ankle disorders are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.