The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10% prior to January 6, 2012 and now warrants a 50% rating effective from that date. His degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20%. The radiculopathy in his lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports provided objective evidence of marked tenderness and swelling on use, which aligns with the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 (pes planus).
- Claimed conditions
- Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine, Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity, Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1628208
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 1628208.
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 PTSD was granted, and his claims for increased ratings of degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis, radiculopathy left lower extremity, and radiculopathy right lower extremity were also granted. The effective dates are not specified as they are based on when the claims were filed or denied.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, granted a 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and remanded several other claims including those for increased ratings for various disabilities and TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.
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