The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. The issue of a separate rating for pes planus is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left ankle post tendonitis, osteoarthritis, partial tear of the posterior tibialis tendon; right ankle osteoarthritis, partial tear of the posterior tibialis tendon) render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to their severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle post tendonitis, Osteoarthritis of tarsal-metatarsal joint, left ankle, Partial tear of the posterior tibialis tendon, left ankle, Right ankle osteoarthritis, Partial tear of the posterior tibialis tendon, right ankle, Pes planus (bilateral)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21071633
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 21071633.
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 claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle strain and earlier effective dates of August 24, 1998 for service connection of hammertoes in the feet. Other claims were denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depression, recurrent moderately severe (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood), is granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to January 17, 2020. For the period beginning from January 17, 2020, his major depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinions were inadequate, necessitating further developments to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service.
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