Ankle Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic left ankle instability with degenerative arthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection. However, his right ankle sprain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from February 17, 2006 to September 12, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a comprehensive examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from German hospitals and SSA disability determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right foot fracture and service connection for left and right knee and ankle conditions were denied. The Board found that the current rating for residuals, right foot fracture is not warranted as there was no evidence of moderate disability.

The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran's claimed residuals of a right lower extremity injury, other than the right great toe, and service. The claim for secondary service connection was not addressed as it is not part of the main issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the compensable evaluation for the service-connected left hand injury, Barrett's disease, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. He also withdrew his petitions to reopen the claims of service connection for a low back disorder and a left eye disorder (astigmatism).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, bilateral foot disability, peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, ankle and leg disabilities, and diabetes mellitus. The case will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of private treatment records from 1976-1978.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% disability evaluation for his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show entitlement to such an earlier effective date.

The Board found no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion in the left ankle, and thus denied an increased rating beyond the current 10% assigned for service-connected left ankle strain.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left ankle, bilateral wrist conditions, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were evaluated as zero percent disabling in each ankle prior to June 12, 2008. Effective June 12, 2008, the Veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating for each of these conditions.,The VA examinations conducted on June 12, 2008, showed that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain and left ankle strain were manifested by painful moderate limitation of motion. The right knee strain was manifested by complaints of painful motion and slightly limited knee flexion.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bone cancer, a heart disorder, and right knee and ankle disorders that he asserts are due to his service-connected residuals of left knee and ankle injuries. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Veteran has been found to have permanent and total disability due to the loss or loss of use of his lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. Therefore, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, scarring from a motor vehicle accident, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disorder has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.