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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0017246.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for loss of teeth and service connection for an umbilical hernia.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hernia, other than hiatal, specifically ventral, inguinal, and umbilical hernias, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing these hernias.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for ventral hernia and umbilical hernia based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty.
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