Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee, left ankle, low back, or skin disorder that is related to his period of active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disability are service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for this condition. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed spina bifida occulta or left varicocele. There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his genitourinary disorder or right ear hearing loss. Headaches are service-connected, but the Veteran's claim for increased evaluation was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied for neck pain, left ankle sprain, right ankle twist/sprain, right knee pain, left plantar callus (claimed as left foot pain), and bilateral hand pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VA financial assistance for an automobile with adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment alone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, primarily diagnosed as recurrent right ankle sprains, is the result of an injury sustained in service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 5271. The Veteran's PTSD appeal was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an effective date of September 17, 1998 for the election of compensation benefits in lieu of military retired pay. The issue of calculating compensation benefits based on this election remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. The Veteran's left ankle and left arm disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle strain are currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, gynecological disorders (including uterine fibroids and a total abdominal hysterectomy), fibrocystic breast disease, and residuals of right ankle sprain. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to her active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed ankle injuries, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing condition at entry into service and that arthritis could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and ankle disorders as secondary to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1. The claim for an increased evaluation for the service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right ankle sprain and scarring of the fingers on his right hand are both granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his inability to use a standard transmission vehicle.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, both of which are secondary to the service-connected right leg disability.,With respect to the reopened claims, the Board finds that it is as likely as not that the appellant's current diagnoses of right knee patella pain syndrome/strain with arthritis and right ankle strain are related to his service-connected right leg disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and left ankle disability.