The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.
The deciding factor: The AOJ did not obtain updated VA treatment records and failed to schedule an adequate examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, which could affect the rating assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- back scar, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, femoral nerve, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26000139
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 A26000139.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending appeals.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the August 2023 rating decision granting a TDIU was not an initial decision, making the appellant eligible for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher rating for radiculopathy left lower extremity and right lower extremity is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as already pending in the legacy system.,The appeal for TDIU prior to April 4, 2018, is dismissed as already pending in the legacy system.,The claim for a compensable rating for a scar on the back is dismissed.
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