Ankle decisions — 2008

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board granted higher initial evaluations and increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, spur, Achilles' tendon, right ankle, degenerative changes of the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot, and traumatic arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disability of the left shoulder or right ankle, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and arthritis of the hands, arms, shoulders, knees, and ankles as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of concussion, facial paralysis, and speech impediment. The reasons include a lack of evidence of chronic disability in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or substantial vision. Therefore, he is denied financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records related to the veteran's disability benefits claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disabilities due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and calluses of the feet. The veteran's pre-existing calluses were not aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure, were denied. The effective dates for some of the conditions and ratings are established but not earlier than specified.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder to include anxiety, residuals of rubella, right ankle disability, and left shoulder disability were all denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA did not provide a VA examination in response to the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder.

The veteran withdrew her appeals of the claims for whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues have not been decided.

The Board has determined that a VA orthopedic examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed right ankle and left wrist disabilities. The claims for service connection are currently on remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined disability evaluation is 60 percent and he does not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for right elbow, right ankle, and sinusitis disabilities. The issue of service connection for right shoulder disability remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his left ankle condition, including a medical examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux disease, and a compensable rating for pes planus. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the current evidence.