Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The maximum schedular rating available is 20 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not have a direct link to his military service and no presumption of service connection was established.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection by a prior rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from December 15, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, and as such, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, restless leg syndrome, a left shoulder disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right knee disorder, hearing loss, and prostate disorder are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement with scars, and a shortened leg with gait disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder, sinus, vasectomy residuals, and left ankle disabilities are all found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess any neurological disability associated with his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The specific conditions and service connection claims remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied claim of service connection for arthritis of the left ankle and for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, status-post fracture, has been rated at 20 percent since March 24, 2010. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on limitation of motion and pain.

The Board has reopened the claim and remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of the claimed right ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since December 1989. However, the Board found that there is no nexus between the current left ankle disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent effective April 7, 2009 for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. The Veteran's left ankle disability has been manifested by moderate limitation of motion throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his left knee or left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner and the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed knee and ankle disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no medical evidence showing such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely due to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for the denial of service connection for a right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, and increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.