The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical and lumbar spine degenerative changes may be related to his military service but did not provide an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology, leading to a remand for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, right shoulder osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26013493
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 A26013493.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning an increased evaluation for left foot pes planus is dismissed.,The appeals concerning service connection for cervical spine condition, right tennis elbow, and right knee condition are dismissed.,The claim for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis and sleep apnea will be readjudicated.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The conditions are related to his military service.
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