The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteomalacia, and onychomycosis on bilateral toenails are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports do not account for the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- scar from pilonidal cyst removal, intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteomalacia, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteomalacia, onychomycosis on bilateral toenails (previously rated as tinea pedis of bilateral feet)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26027624
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 A26027624.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an August 1962 rating decision. The veteran can refile with a properly pled CUE motion.
- Granted
The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain and laminectomy of L5-S1 has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective from October 28, 2010.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.