The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis in either ankle, which would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: Ankylosis was not demonstrated by the medical evidence during the period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Myofascial pain syndrome with lateral laxity of the right ankle, Myofascial pain syndrome with lateral laxity of the left ankle, Chronic tears of the lateral meniscus with patellofemoral joint syndrome, right knee, Limitation of extension of the right knee, Patellofemoral joint syndrome, left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1712656
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1712656.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the reductions of ratings for back and right knee disabilities were improper due to inadequate examinations. The claims are remanded for further evaluations.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development of evidence, including obtaining a new retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the entire appeal period and updating treatment records.
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