Ankle decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent was assigned for postoperative open reduction and internal fixation of the left ankle with DJD and minimally disfiguring scar.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disorder was not caused by his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a disability of the left ankle or left foot, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or ankle disorder in service, and the current disorders are not otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders must be denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left ankle sprain was rated as noncompensable from March 2, 1980 to June 5, 2001, and 10 percent thereafter. The right wrist laceration with medial nerve involvement was also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from intracerebral hemorrhage.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable and grants a TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between the veteran's current right ankle pain and an in-service injury, thus denying service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of heat exhaustion, and skin condition (left hand) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the left leg (claimed as secondary to intervertebral disc syndrome), a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability. The gastrointestinal disability claim was also denied. Service connection is presumed for arthritis or degenerative joint disease within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left foot disorder and an increased rating for his scar of the right ankle. The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed left foot disorder, and determined that the veteran's current scar is not more than 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Board found that there is no competent evidence relating the veteran's current degenerative changes of his back to his military service.

The Board remands the case for further development, including inquiries to the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard regarding additional service medical records, as well as a possible VA examination.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee and a 20 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, residuals of a simple fracture of the shaft of the left fibula.

The Board determined that the veteran's currently symptomatic left ankle sprain as likely as not had its origin during his period or periods of active military service, granting service connection for a chronic left ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the left knee, left ankle, or low back. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.