The Board has granted SMC based on the loss of use of the right hand. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete development.
The deciding factor: Further development is required as there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and incomplete records, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service injury during his first period of military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, Right brachial plexus injury, Right claw hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26009894
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 A26009894.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the right brachial plexus injury and a 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective September 16, 2021.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for a spinal injury, right brachial plexus injury, and traumatic brain injury, finding that these conditions were incurred while in transit from a period of inactive duty for training (IDT).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, diabetes mellitus type II, and scars on his face, arms, and legs have been denied. The highest schedular rating available for each condition has not been met.
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