Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disorders. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist was also denied. Additionally, the effective dates for the grants of service connection for hypertension and residuals of a fracture of the right wrist were not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back injury and sensory changes of the right tibial nerve, contributed to his cause of death from an acute myocardial infarction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a bilateral ankle disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, right ankle sprains, and residuals of left ankle sprains have been denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle injury and low back condition are not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain, right forearm gunshot wound, and right ankle disorder was granted. The rating for the left ankle condition remains at 10 percent. Hallux valgus deformity of both feet is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is well grounded. The veteran's stressors during his Gulf War service are supported by evidence, and a VA examination will be arranged to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for major depression and anxiety, PTSD, and low back condition are denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness. The claim for arthritis of the left foot and ankle is also denied.,PTSD was supported by medical evidence linking it to service-related stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, residuals of a right ankle sprain, hypertension, and disability manifested by left arm and left leg weakness. The appeals were based on direct evidence from service records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left foot disorder is not well grounded. The Board also found that the veteran is entitled to a 20% disability evaluation for his residuals of a right ankle sprain, effective March 26, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ankle strain did not cause or contribute to his death from COPD. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee and right ankle disorders were not incurred during active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the veteran's left foot, ankle, and low back disorders. The claims were denied as not well grounded.

The Board found no current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed low back and right ankle injuries, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for ankle and knee pain, low back pain, great toe injuries, and a heart disorder are not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his periods of active duty.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for recurrent left ankle sprain is well grounded, but further development is needed to determine if service connection can be established. Claims for sinus disorder and joint/muscle pain as due to an undiagnosed illness are not well grounded.

The Board denied all claims related to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the ankles, knees, hips, and left arm; residuals of injury to the right upper arm; chronic bilateral ear infection; recurrent dislocation of the right (minor) shoulder disability; spurring of the lumbar spine with wedging of D-10; and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine. The ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ankle disorder, including degenerative arthritis and chronic synovitis, is not related to his service-connected residuals of a burn to the right lower leg.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right ankle sprain and determined that no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of evidence of intent to apply for service connection before January 15, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, steatohepatitis, and skin disorder are not related to his period of active service. The veteran's claim for a left knee disability is granted with an effective date of March 23, 1993.