The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include a bipolar disorder due to new and material evidence. The issue of secondary service connection for alcohol and drug abuse is inextricably intertwined with the final adjudication of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim, so it must be deferred pending a decision on that issue.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary for reopening the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include a bipolar disorder. The secondary service connection for alcohol and drug abuse is inextricably intertwined with the final adjudication of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim, so it must be deferred pending a decision on that issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), Substance abuse disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19172732
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 19172732.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with substance abuse disorder, finding new and relevant evidence since the October 2018 denial. The decision also grants a combined claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder with substance abuse.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder was granted, effective September 5, 2024. The decision also denied a request for an earlier effective date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for service connection for a substance abuse disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected Hepatitis C disability, is remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD, substance abuse disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's left side neck scar was rated at 10 percent prior to April 18, 2018, and 30 percent from that date onward, but these ratings were not increased. Prior to February 12, 2017, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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