Ankle Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for residuals of a fracture of the mid portion of the left ulna and olecranon process, impairment of the seventh cranial nerve, laceration scar of the upper scalp, and trichiasis of the left lower eyelid with noncompensable ratings assigned.

The veteran's right knee disorder and left hip disorder have been granted service connection with noncompensable evaluations since August 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for special monthly pension benefits due to a lack of evidence showing that he requires regular aid and attendance or is substantially confined to his dwelling.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right ankle sprain were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the bilateral hearing loss prior to June 10, 1999 or a rating in excess of 40 percent as of June 10, 1999. For PTSD and right ankle sprain, the RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the etiology and date of onset of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability. The case is being remanded back to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle has been evaluated as moderate, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder with degenerative arthritis has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder has not been rated compensably.

The Board found that the veteran's left and right ankle conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such in his service records. The Board also noted that the veteran did not have any ankle problems during his National Guard service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at Spring Hill Regional Hospital on March 8, 2000 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran's arthritis of the left ankle is granted as service-connected. The status of his hypertension and knots on neck issues remains pending.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of his left knee, right ankle, and left ankle. The RO had previously awarded a 10% rating for each disability.

The Board denied secondary service connection for right shoulder, left knee, left leg, and right leg disabilities all claimed as due to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's history of a right ankle fracture warrants a 10 percent evaluation based on arthritis and complaints of pain and limited motion. The preponderance of evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her right ankle disorder, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of her condition.

The veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, the highest schedular evaluation available for marked limited motion of the ankle. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee with residual instability and service-connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected deviated nasal septum and grants service connection for this condition.