The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 15, 2021 is denied. The Board found the evidence did not show pronounced disability and thus only granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pes planus symptoms were less severe than those warranting a higher rating, with the exception of marked pronation. The absence of other criteria for a higher rating meant a 30 percent rating was most appropriate.,There is no evidence linking current left ear hearing loss to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus, Left ear hearing loss, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome, Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21025831
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 21025831.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
- 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.
- 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.
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