The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ should obtain a VA examination and medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service based on the evidence associated with the claims file prior to the February 2024 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error as the AOJ did not obtain a VA examination and medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service based on the evidence associated with the claims file prior to the February 2024 rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic back pain, L4-5 laminectomy, multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease, history of left disc herniation L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26005264
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 A26005264.
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 determined that the March 2025 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and remands the case to allow for a new medical determination considering all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's conditions and functional ability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain, status post multiple surgeries and fusion L4-L5-S1, finding that the Veteran's current disability began during active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent statements of injury in service and subsequent medical treatment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain, bilateral flatfoot, and hypertension as these conditions are found to have onset in service and continued since separation from service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim is being readjudicated.
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