Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service. The VA examiner found that the current right knee disorder is unrelated to service.,Asthma was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to service or to a disease or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the availability of a panel decision and the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 17, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability was not shown to result in moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right ankle strain and varicose veins of the lower extremities is pending. The rating for right ankle strain remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for current VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left ankle sprain and left patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for most of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The maximum schedular rating available is 20 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not have a direct link to his military service and no presumption of service connection was established.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection by a prior rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from December 15, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, and as such, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, restless leg syndrome, a left shoulder disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right knee disorder, hearing loss, and prostate disorder are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement with scars, and a shortened leg with gait disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder, sinus, vasectomy residuals, and left ankle disabilities are all found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess any neurological disability associated with his service-connected right ankle disability.