The veteran's disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative changes of the right knee, and an umbilical hernia, did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to February 28, 1995. As a result, his claim for pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a permanent and total disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disabilities were rated at 30 percent combined, which is below the threshold required for a permanent and total disability rating based on the percentage standards in the rating schedule. The evidence did not support an extraschedular determination due to his age, education, and work experience.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes of the left ankle, degenerative changes of the right knee, umbilical hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0017246
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0017246.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left upper extremity (minor).
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no current evidence of the claimed conditions, or they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an umbilical hernia, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his military service and the condition.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, deviated septum, left shoulder condition, umbilical hernia, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
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