The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder remains at 70 percent, the rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating for bilateral pes planus is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left foot hallux valgus from February 10, 2020 was granted. The right foot scar's rating remains at 0 percent. Service connection requests for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability were also not granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, as they did not cause total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Use Disorder, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Foot Hallux Valgus, Right Foot Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- A23034904
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A23034904.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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