Ankle decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected shrapnel wounds of the left foot and scarring of the left ankle are each granted a 10% evaluation. The veteran is also granted a compensable evaluation for his service-connected residuals of shrapnel wounds of the back.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left ankle disorders, as well as his left leg radiculopathy and lumbar strain were granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and denied an increased rating for left ankle traumatic arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for synovitis of the ankles and right wrist because there is no current disability. Increased ratings were not granted for postoperative left knee chondromalacia patella (currently rated at 20%), left knee degenerative joint disease, or right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of a right ankle fracture and PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The VA will attempt to locate additional service medical records, as well as any private treatment records from Ft. Stewart and Harrisburg.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and ankle pain, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during her period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of pulmonary tuberculosis, right knee and ankle disorder as secondary to a service-connected shrapnel wound injury, and hearing loss. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence for PTB and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, pes planus, left hip disorder, low back disorder with retrolisthesis of L5-S1 and degenerative joint disease, and bilateral ankle disorders. The denial is based on the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's attempts to reopen claims for service connection for right ankle, low back strain, and residuals of a fracture of the right femur with involvement of the right hip were denied. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, bilateral chondromalacia, right ankle disability, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to any service-connected condition.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis (claimed as residuals of fractures of the back and right ankle), thus denying the application.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current right ankle and foot disorders to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ankle strain/sprain was denied. The issue of service connection for a cardiovascular disability as secondary to his service-connected left ankle strain/sprain is also pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral knee and ankle disability, nor has any such disability been related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome or any other back condition, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his claim for an increased disability rating for postoperative residuals of a right ankle fracture.

The Board found no service connection for the cause of death due to cardiorespiratory failure, and denied DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.