The Veteran's claim for service connection for major neurocognitive disorder is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the condition is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The failure to obtain opinions regarding aggravation of the nonservice-connected condition constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- Major neurocognitive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023178
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 A26023178.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to having a single disability rated as 100% and additional disabilities independently rated at 60% or more, effective February 16, 2024.
- Granted
The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 100 percent effective October 28, 2016. The effective date for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for major neurocognitive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder with residuals of traumatic brain injury is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's major neurocognitive disorder is related to toxic exposure during his service in Southwest Asia, specifically the Gulf War. The Board finds that this condition is due to a combination of factors including toxic exposure and Alzheimer's disease.
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