The Board has found that there is new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claims for abdominal muscle strain and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for abdominal muscle strain is remanded, while the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.
The deciding factor: New and relevant evidence was submitted since the February 2016 Board decision, including additional medical records and a hearing transcript from June 2025. The new evidence supports the Veteran's claims of in-service injuries and stressors leading to his current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal muscle strain, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, unspecified psychotic disorder, and depressive disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26034798
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 A26034798.
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 issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, abdominal muscle strain, right foot cellulitis, and disability manifested by memory loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to lumbar spine disorders, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's abdominal muscle strain claim is dismissed. Service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further evaluation and readjudication of his service-connected disability ratings.
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.