The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar warts was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, but the issue of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current back disability was found less likely as not related to service due to conflicting opinions in the record. Service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted based on a more recent opinion supporting this finding.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with plantar warts, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18111618
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 18111618.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 25, 2009 for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a qualifying disability and inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of a contusion of the left shin, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, voiding dysfunction, constipation, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in a combined evaluation of at least 70 percent since January 21, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.
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