The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 100% since October 19, 2011. Bilateral pes planus with right foot hallux valgus is rated at 50% since February 28, 2005. The left knee limitation of flexion and medial meniscal tear are separately rated at 10% and 20%, respectively.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including hallucinations, suicidal ideation, and alcohol use disorder, resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The bilateral pes planus with right hallux valgus was manifested by pronounced symptoms such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces, and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder, Bilateral pes planus with right foot hallux valgus, Left knee limitation of flexion, Medial meniscal tear of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21015024
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 21015024.
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 Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish a new and material condition to reopen his original claim, and the service records were deemed insufficient to support a reopening of the case.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating from January 30, 2013 to March 3, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after March 4, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was granted, effective February 7, 2020. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and strain of the left muscle group XI are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claims are readjudicated.
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