Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to the direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2023 Rating Decision was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the psychiatric disorder claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as incurred in service, and the claim for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for PTSD is granted due to a verified in-service search and rescue mission.,Service connection for the foot disability (including plantar fasciitis and aggravation of pes planus) is denied as there was no diagnosis of plantar fasciitis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for type two diabetes mellitus secondary to his service-connected gout. The decision on the mental health condition claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability existed prior to service and was aggravated by military service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, including its residuals, is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to AFFF foam.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and scarring tissue on lungs is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to untimely filing. The Board has not considered the evidence regarding these claims as they are outside of their jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 17, 2020, but no earlier, for the evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities were at a level of severity constituting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas dating back to September 17, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to lack of relevant disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected recurrent pregnancy loss.,Her initial increased rating for recurrent pregnancy loss is granted, with a noncompensable rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a DSM-5 diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether any such condition is related to service or his right elbow disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the issue.,Service connection for a sinus condition is denied as there is no separate current diagnosis and it is related to already service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder disability is granted as the condition had its onset in service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bilateral hip disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis, despite the Veteran's complaints.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted based on a history of combat stressors and current symptoms consistent with PTSD criteria.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for the increased 100 percent rating of the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder as a freestanding claim, since it must be raised in conjunction with the underlying grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating and there remains no question of law or fact to be resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain a new examination and opinion to address whether the Veteran's condition is related to his service, as well as any secondary effects from his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected eustachian tube dysfunction and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and duty-to-assist errors.