The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.
The deciding factor: A remand is necessary due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain updated service treatment records and personnel files, as well as the need for additional VA examinations during active flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability (claimed as back pain), pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis (based on limitation of extension), right knee degenerative arthritis (based on limitation of extension)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022555
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.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine pain, allergic rhinitis, and recurrent yeast infections. The claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and left knee pain were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, including whether there is any nasal obstruction or polyps.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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