Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders have resulted in his current right ankle/foot disorder, warranting secondary service connection.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, and thus granted his claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The claim for an increased rating for psoriasis remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and a left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral pes cavus and hearing loss disabilities, as well as service connection for cardiovascular disease, were denied by the Board.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The veteran's left ankle disorder was initially rated at 10 percent effective February 25, 1997. The Board denied an increased rating for the period from February 5, 1993 to February 24, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot/ankle disability resulted from VA medical treatment and is granting benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disorder existed prior to his entering service and therefore, the presumption of soundness does not apply. The evidence clearly shows that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently manifested by no more than marked functional impairment, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeals for higher evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for left ankle, right wrist, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis disabilities are well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic low back disorder, chronic sinusitis, chronic left ankle disorder, fungus condition of the left foot, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the wrists, fingers of both hands, and elbows. The RO determined that these claims were not well grounded as they were not shown in service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of right ankle sprain and hemorrhoids and hypertrophic anal papilla were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for residuals of a bilateral ankle injury and hepatitis, as well as the claim for an increased rating for right 5th metacarpal fracture. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are not well grounded. The evidence does not meet the threshold requirement of establishing a plausible claim.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and found that an increased rating is warranted. The other residuals of right tibia and fibula fractures with scarring and shortening are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, skin rash, vision loss, right ankle disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is found to have current disabilities including bilateral defective hearing, tinnitus, low back pain, and dermatitis, all of which were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are not well grounded and thus denied.