The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient information provided by the VA examinations and failure to consider the ameliorative effects of medications on her service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: Insufficient information was obtained from the VA examinations, particularly regarding functional loss after repeated use over time and during flare-ups. The Board also found that the effects of the Veteran's medications were not considered in determining the severity of her symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) (back disability), right thigh limitation of flexion and extension (right hip disability), right thigh limitation of abduction (right hip disability), lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity, dermatitis (now characterized as cutaneous sarcoidosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2026
- Citation
- 26001740
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 26001740.
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 Veteran's claims due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and potential TERA development. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional information regarding his hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain outstanding treatment records from non-VA providers.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded a claim for service connection of sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 22, 2007 to December 18, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.