Ankle decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee and ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for right ear hearing loss, but not for the other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development due to the need for an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and right ankle disability has been withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his right ankle disability as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and left ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, including any in-service injuries or exposures. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a right knee, left knee, or left ankle disability that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds no evidence of such disabilities during his active duty and the VA examination reports do not support a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a follow-up opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and Right Ankle Disorder, but denied them as there is no new and material evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection for Hypertension remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and needs further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. The issue of secondary service connection for back disability is also pending.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 100%, but he does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without assistance.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his CUE motion.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are either diagnosed after service or not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The claim for CUE in the November 2000 rating decision was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being presented, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and headaches, as well as his claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral spine strain. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for other conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral ankle disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service that is related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and foot disorders, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative joint disease and found that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury. The initial evaluation for thoracic spine strain remains unchanged at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current right forearm, left ankle, or bilateral knee disabilities that can be attributed to his active service. The claims were denied.