Ankle Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding his right ankle disorder due to withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and left ankle disorder were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. He also seeks an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is needed before these issues can be decided.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting left ankle disorder did not worsen during service and is not related to a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a scalp scar, left ankle sprain residuals, right ankle sprain residuals, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability. The decision found that there was no current evidence of a scalp scar or any ankle or low back disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ankle strain warrants a 10 percent rating, effective November 1, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess her back, right knee, and left ankle conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The pseudofolliculitis barbae was also found to not warrant an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder. The right ankle arthritis is found to be related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder with anxiety and an increased rating for left ankle disability, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a personality disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen this previous claim.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired disorder of either ankle, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The VA has determined that the current evaluation of 20% is appropriate for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle fracture with instability and traumatic arthritis, effective from July 6, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle or right knee disability, and there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in 1983 without appeal, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a fracture of the left 3rd metacarpal, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran. The claims for service connection for left hand and ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is service-connected, with no need for further development or remand.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete examinations and new regulations.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for additional development due to procedural defects in VCAA notification.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and granted a noncompensable disability rating for malaria. The veteran does not have active or current residuals of either condition.