Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 30 percent rating for post-operative left arthroscopic ankle joint debridement with scars, effective July 1, 2010, after finding that the reduction was not in accordance with law due to a procedural error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected posttraumatic right ankle strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed foot and ankle disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show any current diagnoses of these conditions, nor is there credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, claimed as knee strains, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for gouty arthritis causing joint pain involving hands/fingers, elbows, hips, ankle, and feet is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits has been granted. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, as well as the claims for PTSD, back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and traumatic brain injury have also been addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral claw toes with dorsal callosities and metatarsalgia, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the left tibia and fibula were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for bilateral claw toes, there was no current diagnosis of a left ankle disability, and the Veteran's service-connected left tibia and fibula disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability. The issue is whether the current left ankle disability was caused by service from May to September 1967 with periods of active and inactive duty for training.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and ankle disabilities are pending as the VA has not provided adequate opinions for these conditions.,A full grant of the benefit sought on appeal for left knee disability remains in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left foot/ankle, low back, gouty arthritis, and chronic sinusitis. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of additional limitation of motion caused by pain, and further development is required.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left ankle arthritis and gout with rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical records, arrange for an examination, and determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right leg and ankle conditions, as well as his cervical spine condition, are found to be secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and right ankle strain were not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle were not granted service connection, as there was no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's current foot, ankle, and lower leg complaints are residuals of frostbite or exposure to cold weather while in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's advanced degenerative osteoarthritis of the left hip, which required a total hip replacement, is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.