The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to her already receiving the maximum allowable benefits.,Earlier effective dates are denied for flexion impairment of the left knee, GERD, and bilateral pes planus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TDIU appeal was dismissed because she has been in receipt of the maximum schedular rating during the appeal period. There is no longer a case or controversy as to the issue.,There is no evidence in the record that the left knee flexion impairment arose prior to the February 2020 VA examination, which is the first medical evidence of an increase in severity. The effective date for increased ratings claim is the date of the claim or when entitlement arose, whichever is later.
- Claimed conditions
- flexion impairment of the left knee associated with strain, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038407
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 A26038407.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and anxiety were all denied as service connection was not established based on the evidence of record.,Bilateral pes planus was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, right upper extremity nerve condition, left upper extremity nerve condition, headache condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, right shoulder condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for a higher rating as his pes planus did not result in pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles' tendon on manipulation. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted from March 2, 2019, based on his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to obtain and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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