Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to be service-connected due to in-service injury and continuous symptoms since separation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's current left ankle disability and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities. The right and left elbow disabilities received a combined rating of 40 percent since June 13, 2014.,Effective October 15, 2014, the Veteran's neck disability was rated at 30 percent, his bilateral ankle disabilities were each rated at 20 percent, and his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities were each rated at 30 percent. The ratings for his bilateral elbow and hand disabilities remained at 10 percent.,The Veteran received a TDIU effective October 15, 2014.

The Veteran has effectively lost use of his lower extremities due to service-connected Parkinson's disease, and is therefore eligible for specially adapted housing. The claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an earlier effective date for Parkinson's disease have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2015. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows he was currently precluded from obtaining and maintaining such employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is before the Board.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and left ankle sprain and degenerative changes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to June 11, 2012, as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or be permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including gout, was incurred in active service. The Board finds the evidence at least as not equally balanced and grants service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a new foot disability claim, were all granted. The hearing loss claim was reduced to zero percent effective September 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service personnel and medical records, which may affect his eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of residuals of a fractured cheek bone or sprained ankle, and thus, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability and obesity are not service connected, with no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraines and right ankle disability) meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective February 27, 2009. The Board also found that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to this date due to his migraines.

The Veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to lack of evidence showing qualifying income and net worth, and medical evidence did not show his non-service connected conditions were severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, right leg condition, and right ankle condition are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.