The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hammer toe and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the increased rating for a right eye disability. The Veteran's rhinitis, acne, right little finger disability, and right hand scar disabilities are all rated at their maximum allowable under current criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support higher ratings for any of the conditions based on current medical standards and diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- rhinitis, acne, right little finger disability, right hand scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26000826
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26000826.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's rhinitis and gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.,For rhinitis, the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. For gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia, symptoms were described as infrequent and mild.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to environmental factors during Operation Desert Storm.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete findings and failure to properly address the onset, cause, and nature of his conditions. The VA will need to schedule examinations to determine if his rhinitis and bilateral hand disabilities are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and acne due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further examination, and an adequate medical opinion is required regarding the relationship between his acne and his bipolar disorder.
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