Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and residuals of pneumonia are not well grounded. The RO is directed to readjudicate these issues, along with the final three issues listed on the title page.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right ankle disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the veteran's left knee injury and right ankle sprain, finding that current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's disability of the left wrist, effective from October 31, 1995. The veteran's other claims have been addressed and are either denied or affirmed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a left wrist strain, bursitis of the right knee, and residuals of a right ankle sprain as his claims are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Persian Gulf Syndrome, residuals of inoculations, a right ankle condition, vision problems, and a skin condition due to lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection and assigned initial evaluations of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome in both knees, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirement for a total rating due to unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle sprain, and left ankle disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right ankle disability was denied due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition and a left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain. The VA examiner found no relationship between these conditions and the service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for his service-connected puncture wound scar, as well as the propriety of the initial evaluation assigned for his left ankle disorder. The appeal regarding the September 13, 1972, rating decision denying a compensable rating for the service-connected puncture wound is pending.

The Board denied claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the right and left ankles, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or other objective pathology supporting additional functional loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ankle does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain due to new and material evidence. However, it remains unclear whether the current condition is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cerebral concussion residuals and fractured left leg, as well as his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left lower extremity disability and low back pain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disorder due to new evidence submitted since the May 1988 rating decision. However, the claims are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.