The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to a duty to assist error. The claims for bilateral flatfeet/fallen arches, chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar are all being reconsidered.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant did not meet the initial burden of establishing a current disability for any of the service connection claims. As such, further analysis was not necessary.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flatfeet/fallen arches, Chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, Unspecified anxiety disorder, Bilateral hearing loss disability, Left knee disability, Right knee disability, Right knee scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023213
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 A26023213.
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 Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia/sleep disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as anxiety, depression, and panic disorder) due to the Veteran's in-service stressful events.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to higher level of SMC at the intermediate rate is granted, effective from January 8, 2021. He was previously in need of aid and attendance due to his left knee disability since February 1, 2017, and now has additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more.
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