The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance use disorders, and prolapsed rectum due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they must be remanded for further medical opinions.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance use disorders, and prolapsed rectum. These claims remain pending as additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between these conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use Disorders (Alcohol, Cannabis, Opioids)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21063391
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 21063391.
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 PTSD with bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective August 8, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a right knee condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must attempt to verify the claimed stressor events and provide a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as a failure to provide an adequate VA examination prior to the rating decision.
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