Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arthritis of the knees, ankles, elbows, and hands, and bilateral hearing loss were all denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD due to lack of corroborated stressor events. For arthritis, no current diagnosis was provided in the record. For hearing loss, a compensable rating could not be assigned as the Veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current right ankle condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. The secondary claim was moot due to the grant of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% evaluation for residuals of his right ankle fracture was granted, with the effective date set at May 21, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and did not address the effective dates of awards for left and right ankle strains.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and cyst removal residuals, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by loss of motion in the left arm, foot, leg, or ankle during service or for many years after service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his in-service injury and there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's anxiety/depression disability was manifested during active duty service and the Board has determined that it is incurred in line of duty. The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, as diagnosed, is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or residuals from injuries sustained during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the left ankle are productive of no more than slight ankle disability, characterized by a functional loss due to pain. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Veteran's chronic left ankle joint pain is presumed to have been incurred due to an undiagnosed illness during his service in the Gulf War. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, left ankle and knee disorders, and residuals of a concussion, cervical spine injury, and back injury are not related to her military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board is dismissing it.

The Board found no credible medical evidence linking the Veteran's right ankle disorder to service or finding that it was caused by his service-connected left Achilles tendonitis.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder effective from December 1, 2002. These ratings are based on the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ankle sprain and lumbar strain were denied by the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hand, wrist, hip, ankle and foot disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. His lumbar spine and knee disorders are secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to address the nature of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's back disorder, foot disorder (pes planus), and bilateral ankle arthritis are all found to be related to his military service.