The Veteran's left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 10 percent due to three or less non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are rated at 30 percent, as they meet the criteria for severe bilateral flatfoot with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.).,The Veteran's right hip strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to normal range of motion.,The Veteran's left knee painful scar and anterior patella scar status post meniscus/ACL repair do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are both rated at 10 percent (compensable).,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal repair does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to flexion to no less than 100 degrees, locking, and pain.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate symptoms more nearly approximating three or more incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting for maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran's bilateral flat feet met the criteria for severe bilateral flatfoot with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.).
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Strain, Maxillary Sinusitis, Bilateral Flat Feet, Right Hip Strain with Limitation of Extension, Right Hip Strain with Impairment of the Thigh, Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis with Instability, Left Knee Painful Scar, Anterior Left Patella Scar Status Post Meniscus/ACL Repair, Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis with Meniscal Repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26012283
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 A26012283.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations and denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition. The Veteran was granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and noting the lack of credible lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service.
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