Ankle Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all issues due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the appellant's left ankle disability, finding that it more nearly approximates marked impairment of the ankle. A separate 10 percent rating is also assigned for the surgical scar on the left ankle.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his nursing home and arranging for an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both issues.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the prior final decision. The VA medical expert opinion supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the reductions of ratings for residuals of a right knee injury and residuals of a right ankle sprain from 20% to 10% are appropriate under the circumstances, as the veteran's conditions have improved since the initial evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected left ankle fracture was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective January 13, 2003. The effective date could not be determined as the increase in disability had not occurred prior to this claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and ensuring all notification and development action required by the VCAA are fully complied with.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left ankle injuries, finding no current disability in either ankle that could be linked to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left ankle injury, which is now considered granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right ankle condition, shin splints, and rectal bleeding were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Additionally, there is no basis for presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his left ankle disability is not. The decision denies both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected back and left ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for low back strain, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder sprain, right ankle sprain, and left knee injury. The VA found no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence, and there was no current evidence linking his current disabilities to service.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg, effective from January 12, 1998. The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities were also granted as secondary to his service-connected post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional notification and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for gout, residuals of a left ankle injury, and residuals for a left knee disability. The veteran was not shown to have current residuals of injuries to the knees or ankles noted during military service.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's left knee injury residuals, but denied service connection for arthritis of the ankles and feet.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of cerebral contusion with post traumatic encephalopathy and residuals of cerebral contusion with right hemiparesis, lower extremity, with significant right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.