Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is being remanded to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and reconsideration of the overpayment issue, as well as consideration of service connection claims. The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of the assessed overpayment will be reconsidered based on the validity of the debt.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a right knee or bilateral wrist disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for his right ankle disability, which is linked to an injury sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle osteoarthritis have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings available. The RO denied increased rating claims for these conditions.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right or left ankle disability that is service-connected. The reduction of his piriformis and scalenus anticus syndrome rating was improper due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent since March 11, 2004. The claim for service connection of the lumbar spine, left knee and right knee disabilities was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus secondary to these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and a right ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these claims. The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed right ankle, left elbow, right elbow, or right wrist disorder etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral ankle disability, endometriosis, headaches, or lumbar spine disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board finds no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorders and ankle, hand, knee, and hip issues. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for deep vein thrombosis of the right leg was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating code.

The Veteran's effective date for a 20 percent evaluation of his right ankle disability is granted as February 1, 2002. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to locate her service treatment records and obtain private and VA medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture, postoperative, tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since July 2005. The VA examinations and treatment records indicate that the disability causes marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 20 percent under the criteria for traumatic arthritis due to trauma and limited motion of the ankle, does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct link to service. The heart disability claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran now has current diagnoses of these conditions, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating their claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for post operative traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is being remanded due to a scheduling error and need for additional medical records.