The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis were each rated at 10 percent. From June 17, 2019 onwards, they are combined into a single rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's cataracts have been denied as there is no evidence of visual acuity impairment that meets VA criteria for hearing loss disability.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established.
The deciding factor: Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's left fifth finger disability manifested with limitation of flexion and pain. The maximum rating available under VA regulations is a 10 percent rating, which was assigned.,Prior to June 17, 2019, the evidence indicated moderate severity for right foot plantar fasciitis and mild to moderate severity for left foot plantar fasciitis. From June 17, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and degenerative arthritis manifested in severe form.,The Veteran's cataracts have not been established as a disability under VA criteria for hearing loss.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Fifth Finger Disability, Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis, Left Foot Plantar Fasciitis, Bilateral Pes Planus, Cataracts, Right Ear Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23023686
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 23023686.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's primary open angle glaucoma with cataracts, as well as a determination of whether he has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes. The case is being remanded to allow for these determinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for athletes' foot and a greater than 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus have been dismissed due to untimely VA Form 10182 submissions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been remanded.
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