The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board. The effective date of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities is set at May 1, 2017. The rating for bilateral pes planus has been granted from May 1, 2017 to December 10, 2021 and since then remains denied. A separate rating evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, low back condition, and TDIU are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence submitted since the January 2011 rating decision did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for tinnitus. The effective date for service connection of bilateral foot disabilities was set at May 1, 2017 as there were no prior claims filed within a year of separation from active duty. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral foot disabilities (pes planus), arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, low back condition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24006808
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 24006808.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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