Ankle decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture with scar does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal of fourteen service connection issues due to his request for withdrawal. The only remaining issue is tinnitus, which was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Board also found that exposure to herbicide agents did not contribute to these disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left foot injuries, as well as a bilateral knee disorder. The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle wound and eczematoid dermatitis were denied. The RO granted the veteran a 10 percent disability rating for his right ankle wound scar.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his short period of active military service and lack of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and/or left ankle. The VA medical examinations did not find any chronic conditions resulting from service-connected bunion of the right foot. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for tinea pedis or residuals thereof.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle strains because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his representative's request. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date for SMC was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of a right ankle injury with degenerative joint disease and recurrent dislocations of the right knee with arthritis were denied. The VA determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle pain is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims, including service medical records and VA treatment records. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and then adjudicate the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and personnel records from the Michigan Army National Guard. The appellant's claim of service connection for a right ankle fracture will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's cold injury residuals of the left and right feet are rated at 30 percent since November 16, 2003.,The veteran's fracture of the right ankle is currently rated at 10 percent since November 16, 2003.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO assigned a combined evaluation of 20 percent, which was reduced to 10 percent due to the termination of separate service connection.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 12, 2000. The Board has granted an increased rating to reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip and ankle disorders, as well as her left knee disorder. The decision also noted that VA has obtained new and material evidence to reopen her right hip disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep disorder, right shoulder and ankle degenerative joint disease are not related to active service. The claim for right knee degenerative joint disease is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.