The Veteran's stress fractures of the left second and third metatarsals are granted a 30% disability rating since November 9, 2022.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain status post arthrotomy is denied for increased ratings.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for the left knee disability cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the stress fractures of the left second and third metatarsals have been manifested by severe symptomatology since November 9, 2023.,The evidence persuasively weighs against a finding that there was an increase in disability in the left toes disability during the one-year period prior to the date of claim, November 9, 2023.,The evidence is in equipoise as to whether from November 9, 2022, to November 8, 2023, the fractures of the left second and third metatarsals were manifested by severe symptomatology.,The evidence persuasively shows that hypertension cannot be established without a current VA examination.,There was no good cause for the Veteran's failure to report for the VA examinations in October 2024 and November 2024 scheduled in conjunction with his claim for entitlement to service connection for hypertension.,The evidence persuasively weighs against a finding that there was good cause for the Veteran's failure to report for the VA examination in November 2024 scheduled in conjunction with his claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability.,There is no conclusive pathophysiology or etiology of hypertension, and it does not have features such as fatigue, pain, disability out of proportion to physical findings, and inconsistent demonstration of laboratory abnormalities.,The evidence persuasively weighs against a finding that the Veteran's hypertension was related to active service, including in-service exposure to burn pits, fine particulate matter, and other environmental toxins.,There is no conclusive pathophysiology or etiology of the left knee disability, and it does not have features such as fatigue, pain, disability out of proportion to physical findings, and inconsistent demonstration of laboratory abnormalities.,The evidence persuasively weighs against a finding that the Veteran's left knee disability was related to active service, including in-service exposure to burn pits, fine particulate matter, and other environmental toxins.,There is no conclusive pathophysiology or etiology of hemorrhoids, and it does not have features such as fatigue, pain, disability out of proportion to physical findings, and inconsistent demonstration of laboratory abnormalities.

Claimed conditions

stress fractures of the left second and third metatarsals, left ankle sprain status post arthrotomy, hypertension, left knee disability, hemorrhoids, anxiety disorder (claimed), alcohol-related disorder

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

Burn pits / airborne hazards

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 21, 2026

Citation

A26005377

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 A26005377.