Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The left spermatocele with groin pain was not found to warrant a compensable evaluation, while the right ankle disorder was determined not to be related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of bilateral ankle sprains are not shown, and his bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis) is considered to have originated in service. The decision on these two issues is mixed - one issue was granted while another was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot/ankle injury and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of right ankle contusion, bilateral lower extremity numbness (including bilateral peripheral neuropathy), chronic vision disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of low back pain, right knee disorder, or bilateral ankle pain. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar strain, now styled as lumbar strain. However, the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis or link between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his period of active service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral ankle, or right knee disability that was incurred in service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also not considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral heel, ankle, and hip conditions are not related to her service-connected low back disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation folder and relevant treatment records. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for hypertension from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper. The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, left ankle disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied all increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no diagnosed left ankle disability separate and apart from his service-connected residuals of a fractured left tibia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The rating for bilateral pes planus is increased to 10 percent effective from August 2001. Ratings of 10 percent have been continued for right and left ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and headaches require additional development due to the need for medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease with a 30 percent rating, effective from January 25, 2005. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome and thoracolumbar strain have been granted service connection as well, both effective from January 25, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic right ankle sprain is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran was not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities prior to October 23, 2002 and therefore denies an earlier effective date for TDIU.