Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain were manifested by objective findings of giving way, instability, pain, and weakness, with no findings of joint deformity, inflammation, stiffness, arthritis, ankylosis, or limitation of motion. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for residuals of a left ankle sprain have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claim for an increased rating for residuals of removal of right rib and left rib. The remaining issues were not addressed as they are downstream from the initial rating decision.

The Board found no evidence of a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension in service or during the applicable presumptive period, and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's right ankle disability was not shown to have had its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right ankle and knee disabilities were denied. The claim to reopen a right wrist disability was granted, but no new evaluation is assigned as the highest schedular rating has already been reached.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements necessary to warrant special monthly compensation at higher levels than the (l) rate.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, including the foot, hip, and leg; low back disability; and PTSD. The appellant's complaints were not related to his in-service twisted ankle.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical back syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied the claim of clear and unmistakable error in the July 14, 1950 rating decision that granted service connection for a right ankle sprain with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral ankle disability. The VA examinations and other evidence do not support a finding of a left knee disability due to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right ankle is manifested by ankylosis, and he is currently receiving a 40% rating for this condition. The Board denied his request for an increased rating as the current evaluation adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral knee and hip disorders, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that these conditions are not related to his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his service. His claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's chronic right and left knee arthritis, as well as his chronic right and left ankle arthritis, were all found to have originated during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that the residuals of a penetrating injury to the left ankle did not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and the left ankle bony impingement with arthritis also did not warrant an increase beyond 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury were not incurred in or aggravated by military service and may not be presumed due to any incident thereof.

The Board has granted service connection for left lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to a motor vehicle accident in service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability with ankle strain warrants a 10 percent rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lateral instability of the left ankle with peroneal tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ankle disorder did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.