Ankle decisions — 2002

The veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities, warranting special monthly compensation and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. He is also eligible for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following July 1989 surgery and an increased evaluation for the right ankle disability.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for osteochondritis dissecans, left ankle talus and denied an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis, left knee.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur or aggravate a chronic back, neck, head, or ankle disorder in service and cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ankle, foot, or toe disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right ankle condition was aggravated by service, and granted service connection for synovitis and arthritis of the right ankle. The veteran is also rated as having a hiatal hernia, bilateral otitis media, left knee disorder, and lower back disorder.

The Board found that the reduction in the veteran's combined service-connected evaluation from 70% to 50%, based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error in a February 1990 rating decision, was proper.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 1980 for the TDIU based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle surgery necessitated a temporary total convalescence rating, and an extension beyond July 1, 2000, is warranted based on ongoing physical therapy needs.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected limitation of motion of the right ankle, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, hip, and back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral heel stress fractures.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left leg disability, including arthritis of the knee and ankle, is not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current disorder is in any manner related to an injury sustained during service.

The veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by pain on prolonged standing or walking, intermittent swelling, and some limitation of motion. The RO has granted service connection for the condition and assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, residuals of right knee arthroscopy, and bilateral shin splints. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disorder or dental condition due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his claim for service connection for the residuals of a right ankle injury.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and right ankle disability do not preclude substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to prevent him from working.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following active duty. The veteran's current disabilities are attributed to a workplace injury in 1987.