The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The case will be sent back for a supplemental opinion.
The deciding factor: The examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder began during service or is otherwise related to service, and if the documented behavioral changes in his last two years of service were the onset of bipolar disorder or another acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18140255
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 18140255.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) based on a finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition began within one year of his discharge from active service, and may be presumed related to service due to psychotic symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a pre-decisional error in calculating the overpayment of educational assistance benefits. The validity and amount of the overpayment need to be re-evaluated, taking into account mitigating circumstances related to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted service connection. However, his claim for PTSD remains denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.