Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran developed chronic disabilities in her right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and left ankle as a result of service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 20% prior to surgery and thereafter, is not shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated due to incomplete records and needs further examination. The case is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a lump on his head, bilateral ankle disability, memory loss with possible dementia, or hair thinning. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle strain warrants a partial restoration of his previously assigned 20% rating to 10%. The effective date is not specified as it was based on existing records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, non-service connected pension benefits, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound. The veteran does not have a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent disabling, nor do his disabilities render him incapable of following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for a right ankle condition. The claims for service connection for a right foot and heel condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current right leg, right knee, or right ankle disorder. The left leg disorder is also not currently diagnosed. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to maintain gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, and PTSD. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various lower body conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's right below the knee amputation is not shown to be the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. Therefore, his claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right below the knee amputation is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and finds no evidence linking any such disability to his service-connected bilateral pes planus or any incident of his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, rash and lumps on the body, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder. The appeal regarding hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain in the lower extremities, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,For bilateral pes planus, the veteran's disability is not rated higher than 10 percent as there is no objective evidence of severe flatfoot with marked deformity or swelling on use.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and service connection for post-operative residuals of a deviated septum with nosebleeds.