Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disability and bilateral pes planus, including as due to residuals of cold weather trauma. The Veteran's right ankle disability was also denied an increased rating.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is not granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current right ankle disability and the Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are not credible. As such, service connection for a right ankle disability cannot be granted.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent for residuals of a fracture, left ankle, was not proper and restored the original 30 percent rating effective September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for right hip and ankle disabilities, as well as other service-connected conditions, were denied. The Board found no current disability of the right or left ankles.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that his injury occurred during his OTH period of service and thus could not be considered incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 40 percent since May 21, 2008. The right knee disability has been rated with separate additional ratings of 30 percent for extension limited to less than normal and 10 percent for instability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by instability and post-traumatic arthritis, has not resulted in malunion or nonunion of the tibia or fibula. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records, and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's right ankle/foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic right ankle sprain, PTSD, and plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10% are appropriate.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for postoperative residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied, as the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his low back condition and left ankle sprain and chip fracture were not shown to be related to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance in purchasing specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to the lack of anatomical loss or use of either lower extremity.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA standards and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The left heel and ankle condition was not aggravated by active duty, as the surgery in 2004 alleviated symptoms resulting from the pre-service surgery. Service connection for bladder dysfunction was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability or to his period of active service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, status post bilateral hip replacement, hypertension, and arthritis of the ankles, shoulders, and cervical spine with radiculopathy were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for neck and left ankle disabilities were denied. The lumbosacral spine disability was granted with a 40% rating, but no higher. Right knee arthritis and recurrent subluxation of the left knee were not granted increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her thoracolumbar spine, left ankle injury, rhinitis with sinusitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing by video conference at the RO, and the Veteran's claims will be returned to the Board after that.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The claims of service connection for osteoporosis and left ankle disability were also denied.