Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective October 7, 2013. Service connection for left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with bilateral ankle deformity and malalignment remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran does not have a single disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and he is not housebound due to his disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance are not met.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, effective from the date of the July 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for receiving SMC at the maximum rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o).

The Veteran's right ankle disability has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for marked limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability has also not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for pronounced deformity, severe spasms of the Achilles tendon, or extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities and a request for TDIU. The case is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), is found to be related to his active service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but separated the thoracic and lumbar segments from the cervical segment due to the Veteran's assertion that his claim encompasses all three segments.,Service connection was denied for a right ankle disability as there is no evidence of in-service occurrence or relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the claimed disorders and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not that any identified left ankle disability was caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an inadequate VA medical examination report in December 2007, and a need for a new VA examination with findings adequate for rating purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for medical opinions regarding his right ankle sprain and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability is also denied.