The veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral pes planus, residuals of frostbite of the right and left feet, and a low back disorder. The RO granted increased ratings for these conditions and also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or findings related to his current foot disorders during active duty. However, he has provided evidence of exposure to cold weather during service at Camp Lucky Strike and reports ongoing symptoms since then. The RO considered the medical evidence and determined that these conditions are related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of frostbite of the hands, Bilateral hearing loss, Pes planus (flat feet), Residuals of frostbite of the right foot, Residuals of frostbite of the left foot, Low back disorder (lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0124716
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 0124716.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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