Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an audiological examination and a VA examination of the Veteran's left ankle. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for her left ankle/foot disability other than a fifth metatarsal fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether any of these disabilities are related to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service, including his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in the Air Force Reserve from 1977 to 1993. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, or bilateral ankle disability incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, arthritis of the left hip, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle tendonitis, and left elbow bursitis have been granted service connection. The scar from shell fragment wounds and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left elbow also have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and lumbosacral strain were denied. The evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder, bilateral knee or ankle disorders, left foot disorder, stomach disorder, or headache disorder that is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia of the bilateral hips, knees and ankles due to recurrent sprains is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle was denied. The Board found that since October 12, 2004, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right ankle has not met the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his time in military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and it was determined that the right ankle disability is not related to service. The Veteran's current right ankle pain is considered a separate issue from her service-connected left ankle sprain.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent right shoulder sprain and residuals of left and right ankle strain has been granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 3, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle tendonitis, resolved concussion for residual headaches, light headedness, and vertigo, and GERD are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and provide updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory condition and bronchitis/pleurisy, were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The exposure basis was presumed Agent Orange exposure.