Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left leg and left hand disabilities, as well as an initial compensable evaluation for his right ankle injury. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of multiple joints, but it is unclear whether this evidence supports a finding of service connection due to the mixed disposition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of dengue fever and a right ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the initially assigned noncompensable evaluation for residuals of a head injury with fracture and headaches was appropriate, as there were no objective findings supporting more than a noncompensable rating. The veteran's left ankle disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied as there is no evidence of hypertension meeting the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable regulations, and the other conditions do not meet the requirements for direct service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, weakness of the left arm, headaches, residuals of a stress fracture of the left foot, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that his current manifestations more nearly approximate a 30 percent evaluation based on ankylosis of the right ankle with dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right ankle and knee disabilities, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected back disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle sprain and back disorder were denied. The claim for deviated nasal septum was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension is denied as he did not have active military service during a recognized period of war.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both claims for service connection and a rating increase.

The Board finds no evidence of current disabilities involving the eyes, low back or ankles. The veteran's service medical records do not show chronic disability in these areas. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury with arthritis. The veteran's representative requested a hearing before an RO hearing officer, but the veteran did not want one.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right knee or left ankle disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left ankle disability, and bipolar affective disorder. The VA found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The veteran's pension overpayment of $3,810.00 is waived due to undue hardship caused by financial constraints and the need for medical care. The veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right ankle and foot condition. The Board has determined that additional medical evidence and a remand are necessary to properly assess the degree of disability resulting from this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired disorder of the left elbow and an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The appellant's request for a personal hearing before the Board has been acknowledged, and he is scheduled to appear at such a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, a left foot disorder, and a skin rash on a direct basis. The veteran's current symptoms of a chronic skin rash have been clinically diagnosed as dermatitis and/or eczema. The Board concludes that giving the benefit of doubt to the veteran, the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected post-operative lacrimal duct obstruction of the left eye with history of epiphora are met.