The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5276.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his right ear corresponds to Level I and left ear to Level V on the VA audiometric tables. The highest rating available is zero percent.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5260 for flexion limited to 115 degrees and extension limited to 115 degrees without ankylosis or instability.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5260 for flexion limited to 115 degrees.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was found to have severe symptoms warranting a 30% rating based on objective evidence of pain and limitation of motion. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his right ear corresponds to Level I and left ear to Level V, resulting in no higher than zero percent ratings. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with arthritis was rated at 10% due to flexion limited to 115 degrees without ankylosis or instability. Similarly, the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis was also rated at 10% for the same reasons.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, Bilateral hearing loss, Right knee chondromalacia with arthritis, Left knee chondromalacia with arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24047213
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 A24047213.
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 low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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