Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, knee, and ankle disabilities due to his left tibia injury. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records and VA examinations are scheduled to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were related to service or any other compensable period.,The Veteran's assertions that his current disabilities are related to parachute jumps during service were not supported by credible medical evidence.

The Veteran's disability ratings for her left ankle disability and surgical scars were reduced, but the RO failed to demonstrate actual improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work. The Board finds that restoration of the prior ratings is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current right ankle traumatic arthritis is not related to an in-service injury and is more likely due to obesity.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's initial ratings will be readjudicated after new evaluations are provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which are required for proper evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for her left foot and ankle condition, finding that it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to care for himself or protect himself from the hazards of his environment, nor do they make him housebound. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or on account of housebound status.

The claim for dermatophytosis is dismissed. The claims for thrombosis of the left lower extremity and residuals of friction burn (abrasion) of the left hip, thigh, and ankle are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and she is entitled to SMC based on this need. The effective date for her entitlement to housebound status is December 11, 2013.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is now rated at 20 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under DC 5271. The condition causes marked limitation of motion and limits his ability to walk or stand for long periods.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence and for verification of service dates. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the lower back disability and left ankle condition, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus are currently rated at 10 percent, while his right ankle sprain is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for each of the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, effective from May 5, 2014 to January 21, 2018. Prior to this date, the ratings were 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired right lower extremity disorder, including his right ankle, foot, and heel symptoms, as well as his bilateral knee disorders (right and left), are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear or outdated evidence regarding his service-connected left knee, right clavicle, and right ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle sprain, left plantar neuropathy, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for right shoulder tendonitis has resulted in a 20 percent evaluation prior to April 23, 2012, and the issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, PTSD as secondary to military sexual trauma, and erectile dysfunction. However, it denied these claims on their merits.