Ankle decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease in the left ankle and degenerative joint disease in the left hip, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors. The claims for residuals of a right ankle strain and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder have also been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board at the RO.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for left leg, left ankle, and back disabilities. The veteran's PTSD is linked to his military service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current left ankle arthrosis is caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claimed muscle spasms and swollen joints are not service-connected as they are attributed to diagnosed conditions, and the medical evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between these symptoms and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, bilateral hips, right ankle, low back, or bilateral knees due to service. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist CTS, oculogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a right ankle sprain as secondary to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for bilateral hammertoes is granted.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability with neuropathy is rated as 60 percent disabling, which satisfies the schedular threshold for consideration of a TDIU. The Board determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints with history of left ankle sprain, finding that her current joint disorders are related to her active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's nonservice-connected erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including medications for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes and residuals of a left ankle disability.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle and shoulder disabilities were denied increased ratings.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability (claimed as secondary to the service-connected left heel and ankle disabilities) was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee/leg and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, which is now granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disorder and bilateral hip disorder are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, claimed as osteoarthritis of the left ankle, was not incurred or related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle sprain disabilities are service-connected, with residuals of right ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis and residuals of left ankle sprain.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.