The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 11, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent on and after August 11, 2016, for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and strain residuals; ratings in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2016 is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current VA examinations are inadequate due to their limited probative value and required additional examination to determine the nature and severity of the service-connected lumbar spine disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, strain residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2026
- Citation
- 26002570
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 26002570.
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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for his right elbow condition from 10 percent to 20 percent effective May 5, 2025, finding that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
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