Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and kidney disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right ankle or right knee disability during service, and the medical opinions do not support a finding that these disabilities are related to service-connected pes planus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, and memory loss. The claims for bilateral ankle arthralgias, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, residuals of frostbite/chemical burn, and right foot/ankle condition.

The Veteran's heart disorder is service connected as secondary to his service-connected GERD.,The Veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders are service connected as secondary to his service-connected left foot and left knee disorders.

The Board has granted a grant of service connection for a right ankle disability on a secondary basis, increased the Veteran's migraine rating to 50 percent from April 20, 2009, and awarded TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder, manifested by limitation of extension, stiffness, pain, and swelling, is not related to any disease, injury, or event in service. Therefore, service connection for a right ankle disorder cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle tendonitis and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 20%.

The Board has restored the original 20% ratings for right and left ankle disabilities, granted separate initial 10% ratings for right and left knee instability, and denied increased rating claims for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's MDD remains at a 70% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the service connection for all claimed conditions has been granted, but no higher ratings are warranted.,No effective date earlier than May 16, 2013, is assigned for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA/VA-authorized treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are not related to his military service or service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding his left knee disorder and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case on his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. However, because he is eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) in acquiring specially adapted housing, he cannot also receive a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis has been rated at 20 percent disabling, the maximum evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion of the ankle. The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including a left shoulder disability, back disability, and left ankle disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Albany Medical Center from December 26, 2008, to December 28, 2008, have not been met.