The Veteran's TBI and other specified trauma disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for other specified trauma disorder is also being remanded.,Service connection for ulcerative pancolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic anemia, skin disability (psoriasis), sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be addressed based on his credible history of service in combat zones.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's TBI and other specified trauma disorder have worsened since their last evaluation, necessitating further medical examination.,VA's duty to assist requires a VA examination for an increased rating claim as the current level of disability is at issue.,Service connection claims require additional medical examination and opinion due to the need to consider section 1154(b) combat service exception and PACT Act requirements.,The Veteran's service records indicate he served in combat zones, which may trigger the section 1154(b) combat service exception. Additionally, his service connection claims are being remanded for consideration of PACT Act-related requirements.,Service connection requires evidence that a current disability is caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in combat zones and may trigger the section 1154(b) combat service exception.,The Veteran's service records indicate he served in combat zones, which may trigger the section 1154(b) combat service exception. Additionally, his service connection claims are being remanded for consideration of PACT Act-related requirements.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Other specified trauma disorder, Ulcerative pancolitis, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic anemia, Skin disability, to include psoriasis, Sleep apnea, Cervical spine disability, Right knee disability, Left hip disability, Right lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26021935
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 A26021935.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.
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