Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claims for an orthopedic foot disorder (pes planus) and left lower extremity limp are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all granted as service connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is due to an in-service assault, the erectile dysfunction is secondary to this condition, and the hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to the need for additional evidence. Specifically, VA treatment records from before January 2001 are required, as well as a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and likely cause of any acquired psychiatric disability, as well as whether the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been dismissed as a matter of law due to the filing of a Notice of Disagreement on September 26, 2025, which is concurrent with another pending appeal. The AOJ is still conducting development related to the remand instructions from the Board's October 2025 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, PTSD, and adjustment type disorder with subclinical PTSD symptoms, is related to his service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being intertwined with other claims, and will be reconsidered once those claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied, but he was granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder on the basis that it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sole service-connected condition, paranoid schizophrenia, is rated at 100% disabling. The Board denied Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound due to the lack of additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60%, and because the Veteran's substantial confinement was not solely attributable to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to newly submitted private treatment records. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are also being remanded as there is no clear indication of limitation of motion in these joints during the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial 50% rating for migraines is granted. Service connection for right leg varicose veins, right knee, left knee, bilateral shin splints, and neck disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to June 9, 2023, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective November 10, 2016. He also received a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring the VA to obtain etiology opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and GAD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The low back disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted based on a May 2024 decision, which did not constitute an initial decision for the increased rating case. The attorney is eligible for fees based on past-due benefits from this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, and anxiety are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for kidney cancer and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in development, specifically not obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim is now being returned for further evaluation.