The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are rated as 50 percent disabling based on symptoms that would be duplicative or overlap symptomatology with his BPTD, which is already evaluated at 50 percent. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for the foot disabilities from July 23, 2010, to February 19, 2022, is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have overlapping symptoms with his already service-connected BPTD, which results in a combined evaluation of 50 percent. Therefore, an additional compensable rating for the foot disabilities would constitute impermissible pyramiding.
- Claimed conditions
- left tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, planar calcaneal spur, out-toeing (left foot disability), right tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, out-toeing (right foot disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24082037
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 A24082037.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities are insufficient to adjudicate the claims on appeal. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and records, including service personnel records.
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