Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran's arthritis of the both knees and chronic sprains of both ankles are shown to be related to her military service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back problems, left leg condition, bilateral ankle condition, right shoulder condition, high blood pressure due to Agent Orange exposure, and ulcer. The criteria for service connection were not met in any of these cases.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, denied increased ratings for left knee strain and residuals of right ankle injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder secondary to the veteran's service-connected left femur fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271. The evidence does not show marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the case was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot/ankle condition and bilateral hearing loss. The right foot/ankle issue is granted as secondary to her service-connected residuals of a right femur fracture, but no rating or effective date will be assigned due to lack of compensable disability. The bilateral hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, varicose veins with edema and discoloration of the ankles and feet, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, finding that he did not have an employment handicap and thus did not meet the criteria for basic entitlement.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bicuspid aortic valve with mild stenosis, mental condition due to physical trauma, right toe injury, peroneal tendonitis of the right ankle, and migraine headaches. The veteran's current somatoform disorder is already service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative changes, finding that it did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render impractical the application of regular schedular standards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection in multiple instances, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of chronic paranoid disorder with seizures. The other service connection claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral shin splints, right ankle sprain, low back pain, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which includes orthopedic manifestations, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder are all service-connected as they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the knees and ankles is being remanded due to a need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The left ankle disability claim is remanded due to insufficient medical examination.