The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right foot tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain status post ankle reconstruction surgery to include gastroc muscle, Achilles tear, and posterior calcaneal exostosis, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, and right foot hallux valgus, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent or more for the period before October 16, 2020. Therefore, an effective date of January 8, 2019, is granted for the grant of TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent or more for the period before October 16, 2020, which meets the criteria for an award of TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder due to Chronic Pain, Bilateral Pes Planus with Right Foot Tendinopathy and Osteoarthritis, Right Ankle Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain Status Post Ankle Reconstruction Surgery to Include Gastroc Muscle, Achilles Tear and Posterior Calcaneal Exostosis, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome with Spinal Stenosis and L1-L2 Broad Based Disc Bulging Associated with Bilateral Pes Planus with Right Foot Tendinopathy and Osteoarthritis, Right Foot Hallux Valgus, Scar, Right Ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26021351
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 A26021351.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for his depressive disorder due to chronic pain has been denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 17, 2024 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent since June 17, 2024.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because the appeal requests were not timely filed, and good cause was not shown for the late filing.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating for the period prior to June 3, 2022. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus is also granted.
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