Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and orthopedic conditions, are found to be in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because the emergency room visit on July 11, 2010, did not meet the criteria for an emergency medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding the need for an annual clothing allowance due to needing a splint on his left wrist. The case will be reviewed by the Chief Medical Director or their designee to determine if the splint also treats his service-connected residuals of left elbow epicondylectomy with post-operative scar and pain, and weakness of the left forearm, hand, and wrist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids and left ankle sprain are as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection. The remaining claims to service connection for orthopedic disorders, hearing loss, and sinusitis are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was granted with an effective date of August 18, 2008. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened and granted with an effective date of May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by pain, functional impairment, and instability, has been rated at 10 percent since November 25, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of an increased evaluation to 20 percent for marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected fractures of the left femur, right patella, and left ankle are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ankle disability, to include peroneal tendonosis with subluxation, is causally related to an in-service event, injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her current level of disability due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle laceration residuals are rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating is assigned for having a painful scar. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims were granted, with some issues receiving increased evaluations and others having effective dates assigned. The service-connected conditions include left wrist fracture, left ankle disability, asthma, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis disabilities are not supported by the evidence of record, and thus have been denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was initially rated as non-compensable prior to March 15, 2011 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date is not warranted.,For the low back strain, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for mid-chest pain and shortness of breath is dismissed as the symptoms are already compensated by his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.