The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and procedural issues, requiring further examination or opinion regarding functional loss consistent with ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for a VA medical opinion that addresses whether the Veteran's functional loss is consistent with ankylosis or the functional equivalent of ankylosis as described in Chavis v. McDonough, 34 Vet. App. 1 (2021).
- Claimed conditions
- Scheuermann's Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- 26000884
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 26000884.
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 remanded the claim to obtain a VA medical opinion that fully complies with previous directives, specifically addressing whether the Veteran's functional loss is consistent with ankylosis or its functional equivalent.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic back pain with Scheuermann's Disease is rated at 40 percent effective September 26, 2012, to May 15, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating from May 15, 2013, was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's part-time employment and determining if it constitutes marginal employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Scheuermann's Disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment prior to May 25, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 3, 2011.
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