Ankle Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5271.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle strain, left hip strain, and left knee strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The case is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any right hip or bilateral ankle disability present during the period of the appeal is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and readjudication of the increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing with the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation records and an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 10 percent for right thigh muscle injury is denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examination. The Veteran's SMC claim is also denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for payment at the housebound rate or based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC based on the need for additional aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r) has been denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for such.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, SMC based on housebound status and/or a need for the regular aid and attendance of another (A&A), and SAH are being remanded due to inadequate development in previous decisions. A new VA examination is required to determine if any current right ankle disability is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the case is being remanded for further development to determine his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right lower leg, thigh, knee, ankle, and back disorders are not related to his active military service or caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left leg disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a current chronic left ankle disability and concluded that the Veteran's in-service cellulitis did not result in a chronic condition. Therefore, service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities have resulted in functional loss of use, warranting a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing. However, he is not entitled to a special home adaptation grant due to the award of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder, right ankle sprain, and scars of the right foot were granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. Service connection for bilateral flatfoot was also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for moderate limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a different evaluation.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.