The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability is denied.,A 30 percent initial rating, but no higher, for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted.,A 20 percent initial rating, but no higher, for low back disability is granted.,Service connection for TBI residuals, photophobia, and dizziness are remanded.,An initial compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative arthritis is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of an ear disability during the appeal period or proximate thereto. The Veteran's symptoms are more consistent with other diagnoses, such as tinnitus and sinus issues.,The Veteran has bilateral plantar fasciitis that is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5276 due to no relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment.,The Veteran has low back disability manifested by pain, stiffness, and limited flexion. The current rating of 20 percent is appropriate based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment.,Service connection for TBI residuals, photophobia, and dizziness are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.,The Veteran has irritable bowel syndrome that does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Cervical degenerative arthritis warrants an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent due to objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation, and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- ear disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, low back disability, TBI residuals, photophobia, dizziness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2024
- Citation
- 24010528
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 24010528.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals regarding the evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of fractures of the second, fourth, and fifth left toes, as well as the evaluation of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with loss of use, are dismissed as untimely.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional VA opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and tension headaches, including migraines. The opinions should consider the Veteran's participation in a TERA and the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities.
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