The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in determining service connection for a head injury, diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and lumbosacral scoliosis and IVDS are denied due to lack of earlier effective dates.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the claim for service connection for a head injury was remanded due to a duty to assist error in determining service connection. The claims for bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and lumbosacral scoliosis and IVDS are denied as there is no evidence of earlier effective dates.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, lumbosacral scoliosis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2026
- Citation
- A26008931
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 A26008931.
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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