The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and hearing loss, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined percentage of service-connected disabilities (80%) meets the threshold requirement under VA regulations. However, none of his conditions individually rate at 60% or higher, and no additional condition brings the combined rating to 70% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus, Bilateral hearing loss, Residuals of ununited fracture of mid talus, right foot associated with bilateral pes planus, External otitis, Mycotic infection of the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2005
- Citation
- 0534687
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 0534687.
What this means for you
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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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