Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's death was caused by bilateral bacterial pneumonia, dysphagia, and Alzheimer's dementia. The VA examiner concluded that the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. However, an additional medical opinion is required regarding whether hypertension, CAD, and/or other service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's schizophrenia with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to August 19, 2004. The appeal for an increased rating is denied. TDIU from November 8, 1977, to August 19, 2004, is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective December 9, 2021.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence submitted during the evidentiary window was insufficient to determine if his employment was substantially gainful or marginal, and he did not submit a completed VA Form 21-8940 within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial staged ratings for an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed due to the doctrine of res judicata.,The issue of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been fully adjudicated and is dismissed as there are no remaining questions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review and an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, which was related to his schizophrenia that began during service. The Board found that this disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's untimely death by suicide.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorder, CFS, migraine, fibromyalgia, and IBS due to insufficient rationale in the January 2021 VA examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and fatty liver disease were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric condition to include anxiety and depression due to insufficient information in the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically failing to verify an in-service stressor and not affording a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia. The Veteran's notice of disagreement was timely filed, initiating this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service, including exposure to toxic environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied. The Board found that the claimed condition was not incurred in or caused by service, and does not meet the secondary service connection criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for chronic scalp folliculitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment caused by severe symptoms including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and violence towards others.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.,His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's vertigo and dizziness first manifested in November 2008, and the Board has granted an effective date of November 13, 2008 for service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include MDD and anxiety was not raised prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, back; bilateral fingers; bilateral toes; bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome; diabetes mellitus, type II; sleep apnea; and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as 'phobias').