The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left forearm pain, lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back pain), and bilateral foot disabilities due to pre-existing duty-related injuries. The VA examiner is requested to consider the Veteran's STRs and his lay statements regarding in-service duties, injuries, and symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors in adjudicating the claims without ensuring all relevant medical records had been obtained and a more complete medical opinion was needed.
- Claimed conditions
- left forearm pain, lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back pain), bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux rigidus (previously rated as pes planus in both feet with pain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26031832
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 A26031832.
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 remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with instability, in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with leg pain, and in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain (claimed as lower back pain) to ensure that the Veteran is afforded VA examinations that properly assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for left knee meniscal tear and chronic rhinitis, but denied earlier effective dates for headaches and a left knee scar. Service connection was also granted for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back pain) to obtain a medical opinion regarding its etiology.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and right shoulder strain, based on new and relevant evidence. The claims were remanded for further development.
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