The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with right achilles tendonitis is rated at 10 percent disabling, effective February 3, 2009. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the periods from February 3, 2009 through August 2, 2011 and from May 1, 2018 to present.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with right achilles tendonitis more nearly approximated a mild disability (10 percent rating) under the applicable VA Rating Schedule criteria. The TDIU was granted as her service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to work due to her mental health conditions and physical limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Lumbosacral strain, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Migraine headaches, Obstructive lung disease (asthma), Osteoarthrosis/osteoarthritis of the left ankle, Patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, Sinusitis, Type II acromioclavicular joint separation of the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19111350
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19111350.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.