The Board has reopened the claims for bipolar disorder and cervical spine disorder with associated neurological disorder of the upper extremities, but denied service connection for weight problems. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for service connection for weight problems was denied as obesity per se is not a disease or injury for purposes of 38 U.S.C. § 1131, but may be an intermittent step between a service-connected disability and a current disability that can be granted on a secondary basis.
- Claimed conditions
- weight problems, bipolar disorder, cervical spine disorder with associated neurological disorder of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18126764
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 18126764.
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 case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50% and then reduced to 30%. The Board has now granted a 70% rating effective November 23, 2021, based on the improvement in her symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of both feet, which qualifies her for an allowance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2015, for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show actual worsening within one year prior to his March 2, 2015, claim.
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