Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating, which is appropriate given his symptoms and current level of functioning. The other claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 22, 1996 for the grant of service connection for synovitis of the left ankle with a history of chronic eversion injuries and acute sprain is not warranted.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The issues of arthritis of the knees, bilateral ankle condition (claimed as arthritis), bilateral hip condition, and hearing loss, right ear are dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle injury and an increased rating for cornea scar of the left eye. The veteran's claim for pension eligibility was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, which includes fusion and traumatic arthritis, warrants a maximum schedular evaluation of 40 percent. No higher rating is available under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands and ankles is not well grounded, as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected rheumatic fever and his current arthritis.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, citing no specific issues or conditions for further consideration.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current left ankle disability to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since January 1991 did not provide a basis for finding service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders on a direct basis, as it was cumulative of previous evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right ankle avulsion fracture, effective from the date of his claim in 1989.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities, finding no competent evidence to support secondary service connection for right arm and elbow conditions. The right knee disability is rated as 30 percent disabling due to severe instability or lateral subluxation.

The Board has granted the veteran increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a left ankle injury, but denied his claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and right fifth finger fractures.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and have therefore been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of injuries to his right ankle, left elbow, right knee, and left shoulder, finding that these conditions are related to events in service.

The veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities have been rated, with the left knee receiving a 20% rating effective from December 1, 1995. The left ankle disability remains at a 10% rating since February 24, 1994.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The RO must obtain all outstanding medical records from the Buffalo VAMC before considering these claims on their merits.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, secondary to his service-connected chronic left ankle sprain, is not well-grounded and thus denied.

The veteran's service-connected right lower extremity disability, including osteoarthritis of the right knee and traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, PTSD, and a respiratory disorder are not well grounded. The claim for increased evaluation of arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.