The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot hallux valgus, gynecomastia, and PTSD from March 4, 2021 to December 6, 2022 were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at zero percent (noncompensable) as there was no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and his complaints were considered in the assigned noncompensable rating.,For right and left foot hallux valgus, the evidence did not show symptoms or functional impairment more nearly approximating unilateral hallux valgus equivalent to amputation of great toe or unilateral hallux valgus operated with resection of metatarsal head. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability already compensated for some of his foot pain and soreness.,For gynecomastia, the evidence did not show either breast underwent mastectomy or wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form. Therefore, a higher rating was denied.,PTSD from March 4, 2021 to December 6, 2022 was rated at 70 percent (staged) and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating in this period.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss met or approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating.,For right and left foot hallux valgus, the symptoms were considered mild to moderate with no surgery performed. The Veteran already had separate ratings for his pes planus which included similar complaints of pain and soreness.,The evidence did not show either breast underwent mastectomy or wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form. Therefore, a higher rating was denied.,PTSD from March 4, 2021 to December 6, 2022 was rated at 70 percent (staged) and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating in this period.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, gynecomastia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24072664
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24072664.
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