Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant as they do not result in a total and permanent disability to preclude locomotion without aids.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a previous denial of service connection and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His left ankle fracture residuals are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The back and right knee disorders were found to be unrelated to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar disc disease and bilateral radiculopathy, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA examination regarding the Veteran's right ankle disorder. The issue is still pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that a rating higher than 10 percent was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic bronchitis, residuals of a left fifth finger dislocation, or right ring finger disorder. Service connection was also denied for right ankle and foot disorders, as well as right shoulder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the left knee disorder at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, right ankle surgery residuals, and right hip disorder are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is related to his active service, including an in-service injury. As such, the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying her service dates. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are manifested by complaints of pain, weakness, and lack of endurance, with some functional impairment in daily activities during flare-ups. The medical evidence does not support a higher rating for the right or left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is at least 100 percent from October 1, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and left ankle disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and re-adjudicating the claim.