The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, left leg and right leg varicose veins, lumbar degenerative disc disease, impairment of the left hip/thigh, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, left hip arthritis/limitation of flexion, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, and right hip strain, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are severe enough to prevent him from engaging in any substantial gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, left leg varicose veins, right leg varicose veins, lumbar degenerative disc disease, impairment of the left hip/thigh, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, left hip arthritis/limitation of flexion, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, right hip strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20030202
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 20030202.
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 service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding his service-connected conditions and related disability ratings, effective as of March 16, 2026.
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.