The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine condition due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion. The case is now pending with instructions to provide a new VA examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because there was a failure to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition, including segmental dysfunction of the thoracic/lumbar/sacral/pelvic regions. The examiner did not address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his service or earlier manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26012736
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 A26012736.
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.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine condition did not begin in service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left upper extremity neuropathy due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional development of evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, gastrointestinal issues, foot pain, hand scars, shin splints, migraines, thoracolumbar spine condition, and respiratory condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.
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.