Ankle Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, or neck disorder in service or within one year thereafter. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for right pes planus, arthritis of the right ankle, and low back disability. The new evidence received supports a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disorder, and also for TDIU. The case has been remanded to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is presumed to have been incurred in service, and he is granted a compensable rating. The issues of hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left leg numbness are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis of the right shoulder, knees, ankles and feet sprains, and neck muscle spasms is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus have been denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by pain and swelling after extended standing or walking, but there is no limitation of range of motion. The VA examination did not show any arthritis at the site of the fracture. The Board finds that an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right medial malleolus fracture is denied.

The Veteran's skin rash was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's left knee injury was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced from the housebound rate to the 'K' rate for loss of use of a creative organ. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the reduction in his disability rating and need for an examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for GERD, respiratory disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The new evidence submitted by the Veteran and her spouse supports a current diagnosis of these conditions and their onset in service. However, no definitive clinical diagnoses have been provided post-service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a left knee or left ankle disorder, and the VA examiner found no link between his in-service motorcycle accident and any current disabilities. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected ankle sprains and right shoulder disability have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the current rating of 10 percent for the service-connected right shoulder disability is appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause her to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by her limited mobility, inability to dress or bathe herself without assistance, and frequent need for adjustment of special prosthetic appliances. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran is also presumed to have incurred other conditions within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is not related to his service, and thus denies the claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left calcaneal spur remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that his loss of use of both feet due to bilateral ankle fractures was not related to military service or reserve duty, and his psychiatric disorder was not caused by military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.