When a VA rating decision or Board of Veterans' Appeals decision covers more than one issue, each issue is adjudicated separately, even though they arrive in the same letter or decision document. A single claim submission often includes multiple contentions (for example, several different conditions, or one condition rated at multiple points in time). The VA, or the Board, does not have to resolve every issue the same way. It is entirely normal for one issue to be granted, meaning service connection or an increased rating was approved, while another issue in the same decision is remanded, meaning it is being sent back for further development because the record was incomplete or an error occurred.
A remand is not a denial. It means the decision-maker could not make a final determination on that particular issue because something is missing, such as an outdated exam, a missing medical opinion, records that were not obtained, or a procedural step that was skipped. Common reasons for remand include the need for a new Compensation and Pension examination, a request for an addendum medical opinion, outstanding VA or private treatment records that need to be requested, or a due process requirement that was not satisfied before the earlier decision was made.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
Upload your decision letter and C&P exams — VetAid's analyzer reads the full file, checks every examiner statement word-for-word against your records, and shows which arguments for a higher rating actually hold. Free, and we never take a cut of your back pay.
Analyze my claim free →Meanwhile, the granted issue is finished and should show up as a new rating and, if applicable, retroactive effective date and back pay, generally calculated from the original claim or an earlier date if evidence supports it under 38 CFR 3.400. Only the remanded issue continues in the pipeline. If the case is coming from the Board of Veterans' Appeals rather than the regional office, remands under 38 CFR 19.9 direct the Agency of Original Jurisdiction, meaning the regional office, to complete the additional development and then issue a new decision on that specific issue.
There is nothing to file to accept the granted portion; it becomes effective automatically. For the remanded portion, no action is usually required unless the letter specifically requests additional evidence, exam attendance, or a signed release form. Missing a scheduled exam can result in the remanded issue being decided on the existing record, which is often unfavorable, so responding promptly to any request tied to the remand is important.
The concrete next step is to read the decision letter carefully to identify exactly which issue was granted and which was remanded, then watch for and promptly respond to any exam notice or evidence request tied specifically to the remanded issue.
Need a deeper analysis?
Our AI checks your situation against outcome data from 1,900,000+ Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions (1992–2025).
Analyze Your Claim Free