Ankle decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective December 28, 2001. The decision is based on his physical disabilities since at least January 6, 1999.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service or their relation to already service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disability and service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for compensation under Section 1151 was denied because the additional disability did not result from VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Board found no evidence of a left ankle disability or PTSD related to service. The veteran's claim for Agent Orange exposure was not substantiated.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature of her back disability.

The veteran's service-connected right hip, ankle, and foot strains are being remanded for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted, with a rating of 10 percent.

The appellant's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to the failure of the tape recording from his February 2004 hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including a missing VA Agent Orange examination report and clinical records of treatment for the right foot disability. The veteran is seeking service connection for his right foot and ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination regarding service connection for low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's left ankle disorder and sinusitis are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased evaluation for his left knee disability, both of which were pending at the time of his death. The appeals are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that it is as likely as not due to an injury sustained during his National Guard service. The VA medical examinations and clinical records support this conclusion.

The veteran's fall on ice at the VA Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas did not result from VA hospitalization or treatment. The resulting left knee disability was deemed to be a direct service connection and not due to negligence or other fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not sustain a left shoulder condition due to any incident of active military service. The claim for increased rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture is denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.