Ankle Board decisions

The VA granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's right ankle fracture residuals prior to July 26, 2002. The VA also denied service connection for a left knee disability secondary to the right ankle disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C.A. � 2101(a).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination and clarifying the increased rating claim for follicular dermatitis and eczema.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private medical records from Dr. B's office, as well as scheduling a VA orthopedic reexamination to determine the current severity of the service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions. The Board has granted a compensable disability evaluation (30%) for the service-connected ureteral calculi.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and vision problems. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during service or in the years following service.

The veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a ruptured Achilles tendon, degenerative joint disease of the hips and lumbosacral spine, and residuals of injuries to the left knee and ankle are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claim for higher rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various spinal and ankle conditions have been remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the notification process.

The veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating may be warranted based on his symptoms and limitations. The issues of service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities are also pending.

The Board found that the August 1950 rating decision, continuing a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right ankle disability, was not clear and unmistakable error. The correct facts as they were known at the time were before the adjudicator, and the statutory or regulatory provisions extant at the time were correctly applied.

The Board denied service connection for head injuries, epididymitis, and left ankle injury residuals due to lack of evidence of in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's service-connected left knee disability caused or aggravated his lumbar spine and right ankle disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury, including his right leg dystonia, are service-connected.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for increased ratings of a duodenal ulcer, hepatitis, and anxiety disorder. The right ankle disability issue remains with the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities. The April 1969 RO decision remains final.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for right ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen either claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis. The arthritis was first diagnosed many years after service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record.