Ankle decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the veteran is not new and material to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities. The previous denial remains final.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence received after previous SSOCs.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected flat feet did not cause or aggravate any of the claimed conditions, including circulatory disorder, bilateral ankle disability, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for pes planus remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for spondylolisthesis of L5-S1, but denied the veteran's claims for arthritis of the bilateral hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing due to her memory difficulties.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10% for his left wrist disorder and right ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disorders, including cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, right hip disorder, and right leg disorder, all of which were deemed secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, lateral patella compression of both knees with chondromalacia of the right knee (claimed as a bilateral knee disorder), residuals of a right fifth finger fracture, and right and left ankle disorders.

The case has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors for PTSD. The veteran's right and left foot disabilities are also being reviewed.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injuries or conditions that could be linked to the veteran's current disabilities. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability and whether it would cause marked interference in his ability to sustain employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, claimed as heart disease, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, deviated nasal septum, and residuals of a head injury with headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The left ankle sprain did not result in any chronic residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disorders, but denied service connection for tachycardia.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a current examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and left ankle disabilities are related to his service-connected left hip disability. The veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated and are currently assigned the maximum schedular ratings. No further increased ratings are warranted.