The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including painful scars of the right knee, left foot plantar fasciitis, residuals of fracture of the left talus, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The claims were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not more closely approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes, and there was no evidence of underlying soft tissue damage or actual loss of use of the foot to warrant a 40 percent rating. The claims were also denied as the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

Claimed conditions

painful scars of the right knee, right knee instability, left foot plantar fasciitis, residuals of fracture of the left talus, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chondromalacia patella of the left knee

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 29, 2025

Citation

A25093906

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