The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for urinary incontinence, bilateral ocular hypertension, intestinal condition including colon polyps, and bilateral upper carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA opinions were inadequate as they did not provide a complete explanation and rationale regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service, including presumed exposure to TERA.
- Claimed conditions
- Urinary incontinence, Bilateral ocular hypertension, Intestinal condition to include colon polyps, Bilateral upper carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26005942
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 A26005942.
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 granted service connection for urinary incontinence and left ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension and service connection for genitourinary disability, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary incontinence, as secondary to medication used for a service-connected hypertension disability are remanded due to duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches, have caused her to require regular aid and attendance. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issues of whether the character of the Appellant's discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA benefits, and the entitlements for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, prostate disorders, and urinary incontinence. The decision also notes that less than one year has passed since the AOJ issued the rating decision on appeal.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.