Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders are found to be due to service, thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rate of SMC on the basis of the need for aid and attendance of another person for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that evidence in VA's possession at the time of the Veteran's death was insufficient to establish a factual need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot and knee disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for lateral instability of his right knee, but denied higher ratings for his right foot arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative disease. His traumatic shoulder condition does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is rated at the minimum allowed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, epididymitis, and malaria are all rated at the lowest possible levels due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, but his other conditions do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection for a right shoulder disability has been granted and he is currently receiving a 20 percent evaluation.,His service-connected right ankle disability was initially rated as noncompensable, but an increased rating to 10 percent effective March 16, 2009, and then to 20 percent effective April 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's left ankle disability, as his current degenerative joint disease is related to an injury sustained in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and boils. It also denied his requests for increased evaluations for Meniere's Disease, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, residuals of a recurrent right ankle sprain, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis and found that the Veteran's current left ankle traumatic osteoarthritis is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and left ankle conditions, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to procedural issues. The claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition has worsened beyond what is expected with normal aging.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been granted service connection and a TTR for convalescence following left shoulder surgery. The initial evaluation for the left ankle sprain with instability remains pending.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established, but an increased rating for the left ankle disability is still under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of hypercholesterolemia, cough, and right otoalgia. The Board also found that he does not have a vision disability or knots on the ankles and heels related to service. He was also unable to establish entitlement to sleep apnea, hand pain, shoulder pain, or ankle pain as being due to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left foot and/or ankle disorder, which he claims was incurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for aching in hips, knees, and ankles, and concluded that there was no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic disabilities in her arms and hands, as well as joint pain in her shoulders, neck, legs, feet, and ankles, finding that these conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and left ankle disorder due to the combat presumption. Service connection for a digestive disorder is also granted. Lung disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right great toe disability. His initial 10 percent rating for hallux rigidus/valgus with arthritis and bunion of the right first metatarsal joint remains unchanged.