Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, left hip condition, left leg numbness, left shoulder condition, and acquired psychiatric condition (depression) as secondary to a back injury during service. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cholesteatoma and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to provide VA examinations. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination for both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for various conditions, including dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, a psychiatric disorder, a right hip condition, sinusitis, a respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and the claim for increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and osteopenia, as well as DDD are being remanded.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis and osteopenia. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right knee genu recurvatum are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be granted as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to lack of analysis and consideration of all relevant medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD secondary to the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The claims of service connection for OSA, acquired psychiatric disorders, sinusitis, migraines, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and left hip conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed because the September 2024 rating decision granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to a pre-existing condition (multiple sclerosis with urinary incontinence). The grant of service connection encompasses and considers all relevant symptoms associated with the mental health condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are causally related to in-service stressors and granting benefit of doubt.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and depressive disorders, is found to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need to schedule an examination for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a right ankle disability due to additional development being needed. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric disability is related to an in-service flare gun incident, while he alleges that his right ankle disability stems from a sprain during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.