Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disorder was evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating from June 11, 2008 to December 30, 2009. The VA examiner found moderate limitation of motion in the right ankle joint.

The Veteran's right ankle and left ankle disabilities are not found to be related to his military service or service-connected bilateral pes planus. The right knee disability is associated with X-ray findings of a patellar spur, but the examiner did not provide an opinion on whether it is related to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations and the criteria for each condition. The initial ratings assigned are generally in line with the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's current right ankle disorder, including DJD and instability, is found to be related to her service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability that is attributable to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for ankylosis of the right ankle and for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disability did not cause marked interference with employment beyond what was already considered under the schedular rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to report for VA medical examinations scheduled in conjunction with his reopened claims, and thus the appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ankle disability, which existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, does not warrant service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right and left legs were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of April 1, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities as of April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and limitation of motion is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent for arthritis and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there was no claim for service connection for PTSD prior to October 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was previously denied in a February 1999 rating decision. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim.,The Veteran contends that his current sinusitis is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, which he claims began after surgery in 1993. He also asserts that his left knee disability and right and left ankle disabilities are due to physical stress from his duties on the flight deck.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis since October 30, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as there was no evidence to support reopening or changing the rating assigned.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal in writing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and ankle disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's headache disorder and left ankle disorder are granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The right ankle disability was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is etiologically related to her active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.