Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right foot and ankle disability that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds no evidence of such a condition post-service, and the VA examiner did not find any current physical pathology related to the veteran's reported injury in service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracic spine disability and remanded the case to obtain further development, including medical examinations. The claims for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are also being remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current medical evidence of a chronic disability due to an event or incident of military service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was granted, and he is currently rated at 10 percent since October 27, 2003.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's left ankle disorder to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right ankle disability was denied. He is currently rated at 10 percent from June 1, 2003 to June 16, 2005 and at 20 percent effective July 17, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle fracture was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The right knee disability is also denied secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which is rated as 10 percent disabling since February 11, 2002, warrants a higher initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date due to finality of a May 1966 rating decision. The claim for increased rating and service connection for weak feet with calluses, bilateral ankles, and psychiatric disorders was not addressed as it is no longer before the Board.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 20% rating for arthritis of the right ankle as the reduction was improper due to a failure to apply the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle conditions, as well as an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension. The veteran's current disabilities were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with his service representative and a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board is denying the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between his service and any claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records from various doctors.

The veteran's claim for non-service connected pension benefits is denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to his short period of active duty and lack of service-connected disabilities.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral ankle condition that he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Board has determined that further development, including a VA examination, is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left ankle fracture, left knee bursitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a post-surgical scar on the right ankle. The veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and knee disorders are remanded due to incomplete records.