Ankle Board decisions

The veteran's application for Supplemental Service Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (SRH) was denied because it was not received within one year of the date he was notified of his entitlement to a waiver of premiums on his RH insurance policy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected left ankle injury residuals, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, and his right ankle disability is rated at the maximum compensable rating. The veteran is granted a total rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability due to multiple disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the left tibia and fibula was denied, as his condition did not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for osteoarthritis of the left ankle with limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and thoracolumbar disorder (back strain) are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are not well-grounded. The right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service, while the right foot and ankle disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his residuals of shell fragment wounds to muscle groups XI and XII are currently evaluated at 30 percent. The higher evaluations for the muscle group disabilities are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and an increased rating for his right ankle fracture. The claim for individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation to the fracture of the left ankle. Service connection was also established for first degree atrioventricular block, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinusitis, recurrent ear, nose, and throat infections, hiatal hernia, gastritis, and cervical spine radiculopathy. The claim for service connection for rib pain was denied as not well grounded.

The Board finds that a compensable evaluation (10%) is warranted for the veteran's right ankle sprain prior to February 19, 1998. However, no higher rating is granted as there is not evidence of marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a left ankle disability, and renal disease. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that there is no current left ankle disability attributable to service and the veteran's claim for a blood disorder (claimed as beta thalassemia) cannot be well grounded due to lack of evidence of active pathology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an umbilical hernia and a higher initial rating for his right ankle injury. The claim for umbilical hernia was found not well-grounded, while the right ankle injury claim resulted in a 20% rating.

The Board has found that the veteran's left ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of significant functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his service-connected left ankle and foot injury, left hydrocele, and enlarged right epididymis. The disabilities are rated as moderate under DC 5284 for the left ankle and foot injury, noncompensable under DC 7525 for the left hydrocele and enlarged right epididymis.

The veteran's claim for service connection and increased compensation has been granted, resulting in past-due benefits. Attorney fees are eligible based on the awarded amounts.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is granted.