The Board has decided the first issue and denied a higher evaluation for DDD with lumbar strain. The second issue of service connection for diabetes type 2 as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including obesity as an intermediate step, is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine for DDD with lumbar strain. The second issue involves a reasonable theory of secondary service connection and obesity as an intermediate step, which was not addressed by the AOJ.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain, Diabetes type 2
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26004421
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 A26004421.
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 remands the claim for service connection of diabetes type 2 due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's mental health disability and his diabetes.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings for various diabetic conditions, as the earliest possible date under the PACT Act was August 10, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues include degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected diabetes type 2, as well as whether it was caused by herbicide exposure during service. The case will also be examined for direct service connection based on herbicide exposure.
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