The Veteran's kidney disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error, specifically the failure to obtain a VA examination for his glomerulonephropathy with bilateral end stage renal failure. The claim will be developed by obtaining a TERA memorandum and a TERA examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the VA Regional Office's failure to obtain a VA examination for the Veteran's kidney disability, which is related to his in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The PACT Act requires a VA examination and medical opinion when the Veteran submits a claim for compensation, has evidence of a disability, had evidence of participation in a TERA, and such evidence is not sufficient to establish service connection for the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- glomerulonephropathy of the left kidney, bilateral end stage renal failure
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26014445
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 A26014445.
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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- Remanded (sent back)
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