The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and major depressive disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy status post implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
The deciding factor: There were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in obtaining VA examinations and providing proper notifications for the Veteran's claims.
- Claimed conditions
- depression and major depressive disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy status post implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26016825
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 A26016825.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome began during her military service and granted her claim for service connection.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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