Ankle decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, gynecological disorders (including uterine fibroids and a total abdominal hysterectomy), fibrocystic breast disease, and residuals of right ankle sprain. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to her active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed ankle injuries, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing condition at entry into service and that arthritis could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and ankle disorders as secondary to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1. The claim for an increased evaluation for the service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right ankle sprain and scarring of the fingers on his right hand are both granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his inability to use a standard transmission vehicle.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, both of which are secondary to the service-connected right leg disability.,With respect to the reopened claims, the Board finds that it is as likely as not that the appellant's current diagnoses of right knee patella pain syndrome/strain with arthritis and right ankle strain are related to his service-connected right leg disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder, hearing loss in the right ear, and tinnitus. Hearing loss in the left ear is not considered a disability under VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral feet and ankle problems are related to injuries sustained during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle fusion, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and other conditions. The TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and needs further examination for service connection of left ankle, knee, back, and cervical spine disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right or left ankle disorder attributable to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a mild disc bulge and posterior ligamentous hypertrophy at L4-L5 and a mild disc bulge at L5-S1, as well as right ankle arthralgia, both of which are considered to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected benign osteochondroma of the right ischium and right ankle sprain are not rated higher than noncompensable, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability is not related to his service, and denied all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's left ankle and foot disabilities have not been found to be service-connected. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability, and his claim for secondary service connection for a left foot disability is granted as it is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied.