Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further review and readjudication due to additional evidence being associated with the record.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's left ankle disorder and separate 10% ratings for two scars as residuals of the left ankle fracture, all to the extent indicated.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and a compensable initial rating for sleep apnea. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims are well-grounded, but denied on merits. The veteran's request for an increased rating for his right ankle condition is denied as there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion warranting a higher evaluation. However, the claim to reopen service connection for a low back disorder with degenerative changes has been granted due to new and material evidence provided by Dr. Pampati.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a fractured right ankle, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities, is not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a relationship between the fracture and the service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, and assigned a compensable initial rating of 10% for residuals of the right ankle fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and right foot disorder are not well-grounded. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's history of a right ankle injury and assigned a 10 percent rating for his service-connected scar of the left shoulder, with retained metallic foreign body.

The veteran's leg ulceration and swelling of the ankles are considered to be a part of his service-connected varicose veins, which have been in effect since April 10, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of an injury to the left ankle. The claim is well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle injury, including traumatic arthritis, results in marked limitation of motion. The RO has granted a 20 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is not well grounded because there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The veteran's left ankle disability was evaluated at 20 percent for the period from August 1, 1997 onwards. For the earlier period (December 1, 1996 to July 31, 1997), his claim for a higher evaluation was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of secondary service connection for a right thigh disorder is not well-grounded. The claims for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for speech impairment and anxiety as secondary to canker sores are well grounded. The claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder is also considered well grounded.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis, finding that his symptoms are productive of impairment more nearly approximating the criteria required for a 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it involves ongoing disease process with marked limitation of motion. The current 20 percent rating is considered appropriate given the veteran's lifestyle changes and job adjustments.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the current right ankle disability to service, and denied the claim.