Ankle Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right ankle disorders, as well as the severity of his left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations have been granted, with effective dates ranging from April 29, 2008 to May 13, 2009. The specific conditions include a left knee disorder, foot disorders (pes planus and hallux valgus), left eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, ankle tendinosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is unable to make a determination on their merits due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is primarily manifested by symptoms of pain, swelling, weakness, tenderness, lack of endurance and fatigue, resulting in limited motion of the ankle that more nearly approximates moderate. A higher rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain has not been met.

The Veteran's costochondritis, left ankle osteochondral defect, and allergic rhinitis are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for her left ankle condition and initial compensable rating for her allergic rhinitis as of June 25, 2014.

The Board granted an effective date of December 14, 2010 for the award of service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis with internal derangement. The Veteran's original claim was denied in August 1998 and reopened on December 14, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The knot on his forehead was also found to be service-connected. However, the reduction in rating for hemorrhoids is considered void ab initio due to lack of consideration of prior examinations or complaints of increased symptomatology. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on a de novo basis. The Veteran's left ankle disability, right hip disability, and left eye blindness are not supported by the evidence of record. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his left ankle sprain is remanded due to the inextricability with his TDIU claim. His TDIU claim is also remanded as it involves consideration of whether he may be entitled to a separate or higher disability rating.