The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's substance use disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder with ADHD.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new expert opinion was needed to address causation and aggravation of the substance use disorder given conflicting evidence about its relationship to the service-connected psychiatric disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Substance Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23056658
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 23056658.
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 Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of the suicide incident and the need for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with substance use disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and substance use disorder, as secondary to PTSD was granted. The decision is based on the established in-service stressor and current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is causing him to seek drugs and alcohol, which has led to a substance use disorder. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of the substance use disorder as secondary to PTSD.
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