The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an additional VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.
The deciding factor: The initial decision found that the Veteran had been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease during service, but the examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding chronic back pain during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26037076
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26037076.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and major depressive disorder were granted, but the effective dates are denied.,Service connection was granted for a low back disability (degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis).,The Veteran's claim for lattice degeneration with atrophic holes is also granted.
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