The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional medical opinions and examinations.
The deciding factor: The etiology of the Veteran's right foot calcaneal spur and osteophyte, degenerative disk disease of the L4-S1 vertebral with hypolordosis, and pulmonary embolism needs further clarification due to potential developmental nature of protein-C deficiency and inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot calcaneal spur and osteophyte, degenerative disk disease of the L4-S1 vertebral with hypolordosis, pulmonary embolism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26012776
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 A26012776.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary embolism as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected status post spigelian herniorrhaphy, finding that the surgery increased her risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's pulmonary disability is directly related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and Agent Orange during service. The claims are now pending for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's pulmonary embolism and its residuals were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board found no additional disability due to VA fault.
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