Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee injury residuals with chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, and left ankle injury residuals with arthritis do not warrant an increased disability evaluation.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and arthralgia, bilateral ankles, as well as a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was not shown to have current sinusitis or arthralgia, and there was no evidence of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities of the right and left ankles have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability has also been granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to her ability to walk with a cane, drive, and use assistive devices.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he does not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are characterized by limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, which do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to service or any link between current symptoms and service. The March 2009 VA examination report concluded that the currently manifested neck condition is less than 50% likely caused by or the result of military parachute jumps during service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of service treatment records, including base hospital records and unit diaries. The Veteran's appeal will be returned to the Board after this development is completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee and right ankle conditions and GERD, make it unlikely that he can maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture with compartment syndrome was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and a lower back disorder were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims were adjudicated on their merits without finding any new evidence to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability, residuals of an injury to the left knee, and a scar to the inner left ankle area as there is no credible evidence establishing an event, injury, or disease in service that could be associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's ankle pain is found to be related to his service-connected left and right shin splints, which are now considered part of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle disability.

The Board found no current right ankle disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected right ankle sprain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in March 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, meeting the requirements for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.