The Board has remanded all issues for further development, including verification of the Veteran's service dates and consideration of any newly identified periods of service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were gaps in the Veteran's service records and that additional requests should be made to verify his service dates and identify any missing records. The Board also noted that these gaps could potentially trigger the need for addendum medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- cutaneous lupus erythematosus, tumid, cutaneous lupus, chronic, with alopecia, right hand extensor carpi ulnaris tendinitis, left hand extensor carpi ulnaris tendinitis, right wrist arthritis, lower back pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sacrum/hip-lower back fusion, left, sacrum/hip-lower back fusion, right, vision loss due to medication for cutaneous lupus erythematosus, tumid, right shoulder tendinopathy (tendinitis) and degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038097
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 A26038097.
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 decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lower back pain.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for lower back pain and right shoulder pain, but has remanded the claim of major depressive disorder with suicidal tendency due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to scheduling conflicts preventing VA examinations, and the claim for a higher rating based on multiple noncompensable disabilities is inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.
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