Ankle decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and right ankle disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating for PTSD before April 20, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle fracture, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were denied as the evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion or additional functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stomach disability, to include acid stomach reflux, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 24, 2003 for service connection of PTSD and a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for joint pain of the hips, low back, ankles, shoulder, and neck.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right ankle disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected major depression and related conditions, which were contributory causes of his death. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his untimely death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete rationale provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including head injury with memory loss, neck disorder, left wrist disorder, left ankle disorder, anxiety disorder, chest disorder, and seizure disorder or residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm. The Veteran's claim was not granted as he failed to cooperate by failing to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a left ankle sprain or bone spurs, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left leg disorder, including dermatofibroma of the left medial ankle, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and was first manifested years after service.,The Veteran's right knee injury with chondromalacia does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, right ankle sprain with residual, tinea pedis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish a link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, cervical disorder, low back disorder, head disorder, and right hand disorder were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The status of the right ankle and bilateral hip disorders is pending.