The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 40 percent, the bilateral pes planus as 30 percent prior to March 16, 2012, and PTSD as 70 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings for the lumbar spine disability. The bilateral pes planus was rated based on its severity without specific mention of pronounced impairment. The psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was rated as 70 percent, which is already at the highest possible rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, psychiatric disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2016
- Citation
- 1611186
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 1611186.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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