The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, but the rating was restored.,The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and receives a TDIU.,SMC based on loss of use of one or both feet is denied as the Veteran does not have anatomical loss or loss of use of these body parts due to service-connected conditions.,SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is also denied.
The deciding factor: The reduction in rating for bilateral pes planus was restored, resolving the issue.,The Veteran's disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.,The Veteran does not have anatomical loss or loss of use of one or both feet due to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran does not have anatomical loss or loss of use of the left hand due to service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, left knee injury, fracture, left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19179966
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis effective February 1, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.
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