The Board has found multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the following issues: service connection for tinea, initial compensable rating for pilonidal cyst, initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, initial compensable rating for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran served in the Coast Guard Reserve during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the RO failed to obtain adequate examinations and medical nexus opinions as required by law and regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- tinea, pilonidal cyst, lumbosacral strain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26008824
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 A26008824.
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.
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The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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