Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right ankle disorder, which was previously rated at 20 percent since November 14, 2005, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture and for an effective date earlier than March 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture. The claim for an effective date earlier than March 21, 2007, is without legal merit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle posttraumatic arthritis, with tendinitis of the ossicle medial malleolus, and a healed calcaneous stress fracture, is attributable to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and conduct a supplemental examination. The appellant's claim for service connection for his right ankle disability, including as residuals of a right fibula fracture, will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent disabling. The combined rating is 80 percent. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service-connected back condition and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle fracture with pes planus were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disabilities. The claims of increased ratings for left ankle injury, residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomies of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the left hip are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and chronic back condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his psychiatric disorders and physical disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these factors.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ankle strain was granted, and a higher rating of 20 percent was assigned effective May 10, 2010. The appeal is now limited to the issue of whether an earlier effective date should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury, and therefore service connection for cold injury residuals is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accident, and not due to his service-connected conditions. However, as he had been rated totally disabled for over five years prior to his death, the claimant is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and tendon disorder of the left foot (to include a left ankle disorder). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and granulomatous disease, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of chronicity in service or at any time thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral ankle disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is related to service but the claim for service connection remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and left ankle sprain, but denied the Veteran's requests for higher initial ratings.