Ankle decisions — 2007

The Board determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability and a right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to VCAA notification deficiencies and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to new and material evidence. However, it was determined that PTSD is not service-connected as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor. The arthritis of the back and legs were also found not to be service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee and ankle disabilities during the period from April 10, 1981 to August 4, 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's incarceration for a felony conviction, which exceeded 60 days, justified reducing his disability compensation benefits to an amount equivalent to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability, varicose veins, or restless leg syndrome that is related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnoses of asthma, tinnitus, back injury residuals, and left ankle injury residuals are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board once this is done.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and found that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a chronic disability of the left hip, knee, and ankle remain under review.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal after a 30 percent rating was granted.

The veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral flatfoot and arthritis of the right knee. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if the current right ankle disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The veteran's right ankle sprain and patellar pain syndrome, right knee, have been granted service connection but do not warrant initial compensable evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is related to an onset of multisystem complaints after being bitten by sand fleas while serving in Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War, and granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for his disabilities were denied. His keratoconus was found to be a congenital disorder, not compensable. His hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also noted that his ankle disorders have resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to the initial ratings for low back strain, right knee sprain, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and migraine headaches.