Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records from the Miami VA medical center for 2009 and January through April of 2010, which may impact the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, meets the threshold requirement for special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound due to his TDIU status. He does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance benefits.

The Board found that the residuals of a left ankle sprain are not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, nor were they caused or aggravated by her service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left ankle and left wrist is related to his military service, raising a reasonable doubt as to whether these conditions are directly related. The Veteran's complaints of pain in his ankles and wrists during active duty have led to arthritis diagnoses post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability originated during active service, specifically a right ankle sprain sustained in September 2006. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no current disability related to the in-service stress fractures and denied service connection for right ankle/tibia, bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral thigh conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right ankle strain and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for the right ankle disability or establish service connection for the bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ankle was determined to have begun during service and is granted as direct service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his right ankle bursitis or left ankle disorder, nor can it be determined if these conditions are secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is manifested by marked limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. He seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as a left ankle disorder that may be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing and issue a Statement of the Case for his claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, effective from August 21, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle pain and hiatal hernia with chronic dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion or ankylosis in his right ankle, nor did it meet the criteria for a higher rating under other applicable diagnostic codes. For his foot condition, he was rated at the maximum schedular disability rating and there is no indication that another diagnostic code would allow for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including service connection claims and a determination of the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the RO denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran currently receives a 50 percent disability rating for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a video-conference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are pending.