Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by limitation of motion, but not ankylosis. The criteria are not met for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is productive of marked limitation of motion, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition (presumptive due to herbicide exposure) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a peptic ulcer with gastrointestinal bleeding is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination to determine if he has any current left ankle disorder and whether his hypertension is related to service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder claim has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The right ankle disability claim was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, but denied service connection for tinea pedis. The Veteran's left ankle condition is considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic left ankle strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot/ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders are found to be due to service, thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rate of SMC on the basis of the need for aid and attendance of another person for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that evidence in VA's possession at the time of the Veteran's death was insufficient to establish a factual need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot and knee disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for lateral instability of his right knee, but denied higher ratings for his right foot arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative disease. His traumatic shoulder condition does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is rated at the minimum allowed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, epididymitis, and malaria are all rated at the lowest possible levels due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, but his other conditions do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection for a right shoulder disability has been granted and he is currently receiving a 20 percent evaluation.,His service-connected right ankle disability was initially rated as noncompensable, but an increased rating to 10 percent effective March 16, 2009, and then to 20 percent effective April 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's left ankle disability, as his current degenerative joint disease is related to an injury sustained in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and boils. It also denied his requests for increased evaluations for Meniere's Disease, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, residuals of a recurrent right ankle sprain, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis and found that the Veteran's current left ankle traumatic osteoarthritis is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.