Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board found that tinea pedis was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot/ankle disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left ankle disabilities (osteoarthritis), and hallux rigidus have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. No further increased ratings are warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability presents an exceptional or unusual disability picture due to marked interference with employment, warranting a 30 percent rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including ankle and psychiatric disorders, were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition prior to its adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asthma, mouth surgery, and right ear hearing loss, have been granted. The decision also indicates that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, as her current condition is not related to her period of active duty service. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and OA of the left ankle were denied. The DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings for her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a stressor during his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The memory loss and insomnia are also considered as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or chronic disability related to service. However, there is no evidence supporting a separate diagnosis for degenerative joint disease that can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying condition.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right knee, and skin disorder of the face disabilities. The Veteran's hypertension reduction from 20% to 10% was found proper.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by limitation of motion, but not ankylosis. The criteria are not met for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is productive of marked limitation of motion, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition (presumptive due to herbicide exposure) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a peptic ulcer with gastrointestinal bleeding is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination to determine if he has any current left ankle disorder and whether his hypertension is related to service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder claim has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The right ankle disability claim was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, but denied service connection for tinea pedis. The Veteran's left ankle condition is considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic left ankle strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot/ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability, and headaches.