The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded it for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.
The deciding factor: The evidence received after the August 2008 rating decision includes VA treatment records that show bipolar symptoms in-service and a November 2012 VA treatment record stating the Veteran's bipolar disorder was present while he was in the military but masked by alcohol abuse. The Board found this new evidence sufficient to reopen the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18142604
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 18142604.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and neck pain, finding no current disability. The claim for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded due to inadequate consideration of all potential exposures.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also remanded due to a lack of development of the Veteran's therapist's records.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the claims of service connection for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, pes planus, calcaneonavicular coalition bilateral feet secondary to right ankle sprain, and pes planus, calcaneonavicular coalition bilateral feet secondary to left ankle pain.
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.