The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and insomnia disorder have been granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is also granted based on aggravation during service. An initial rating higher than 10 percent for insomnia disorder has been granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for bilateral pes planus due to aggravation during service, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for insomnia disorder was granted as the Veteran's symptoms are mild or transient but decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus, Insomnia disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20053503
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 20053503.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not service-connected due to a duty-to-assist error, and remands the case for further examination and opinion.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal seeking an increased rating for PTSD (now evaluated as insomnia disorder) is dismissed because the Board has already adjudicated a similar issue in another docket.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
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.