The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including whether any are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.
The deciding factor: The opinion provided by the October 2014 VA psychologist lacks sufficient clinical rationale to support an award of service connection at this time, as required by McLendon v. Nicholson.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder not otherwise specified, Bipolar disorder, Manic disorder, Alcohol dependence, Mixed personality disorder, Cluster B personality disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1545317
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 1545317.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression was granted. The claim for a low back disability was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that new evidence supports the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a mental disorder, but dismissed appeals seeking compensable ratings for residuals of right hand 5th metacarpal fracture and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.
- Granted
The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further action by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service.
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