Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for scalp lesions, allergies, prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is granted for scalp lesions (including folliculitis decalvans, lichen planopilaris, and scarring alopecia).

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left leg disability, effective January 20, 2005. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis and right ankle DJD are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The GI disability is rated based on its current severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities, as well as his body cramps, are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 10 percent, does not warrant an increase in rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg and ankle disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service continuity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected multiple joint arthritis (shoulders, elbows, thoracolumbar spine, and ankles), finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current right ankle and right shin splints conditions are related to service. The VA will schedule a medical examination for the veteran to determine if he currently has these conditions and, if so, whether they are at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and higher initial evaluations for his right ankle DJD with residual of triple arthrodesis and left ankle/heel arthritis, both rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Sierra Vista Hospital on November 1, 2004 is denied as he did not receive any VA health care within the previous 24 months and his enrollment in the VA system does not qualify him for reimbursement under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied, while the claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right foot and ankle disability, to include Achilles tendonitis, incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headaches, neurologic signs and symptoms, respiratory problems, abnormal weight loss, pain in the ankles, right hip disability, and neck pain, have been denied as they are not related to active duty service or an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral knee problems, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. He qualifies for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptations.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a left ankle disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have cellulitis of the right ankle or a skin rash that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disability, bilateral hip disability, or sinusitis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than May 18, 2004 for TDIU. The RO assigned TDIU on a schedular basis as of May 18, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right ankle disability and finds no evidence to support service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ankle disability is not related to his service-connected right knee disability and thus denies the claim.