Ankle Board decisions

The Board determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, and a fracture of the left femur, render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's disability rating for shell fragment wound of the right foot and ankle is granted at a 40 percent level, with an additional 10 percent for shortening of the right lower extremity. The claim for SMC based on loss of use of the right foot is also granted.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disorder, headaches, back disorder, depression, bilateral foot disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The RO previously denied these claims in January 2003 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or showing current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his PTSD severity and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left wrist sprain, left ankle sprain, and left knee patellar fracture have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders of the right foot, ankle, knee, hip, and spine. However, it is unclear whether these conditions are directly related to military service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, knee, and low back disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a connection between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hands, feet, legs (knees), shoulders, ankles, and cervical and lumbar spine segments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for back disability, left ankle disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of service dates, VA examinations, and obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right Achilles tendon repair with osteoarthritis, calcaneal spur, and healed right posterior ankle scar is shown to have been manifested by complaints of pain following heavy or prolonged use prior to July 20, 2009. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle strain, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for those conditions, were granted. The effective dates are set at April 25, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features have been granted increased evaluations. The left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from April 4, 2007, the right ankle disability at 30 percent from that date, and the adjustment disorder at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted, and his right ankle disability was rated at 30 percent effective July 23, 2008. The rating for the right ankle is based on marked impairment of motion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for gouty arthritis, chronic low back disability, and right ankle disability. However, it was not established that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current right leg disability. The rating for limitation of extension and flexion of the right knee was increased.

The VA physician concluded that the service-connected right leg deep venous thrombosis did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, as evidenced by the lack of recurrence of DVT and no indication of over-coagulation. The hypertension listed on the cause-of-death certificate was attributed to a different condition (Fen-Phen).