{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/acquired-psychiatric-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.014Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Acquired psychiatric disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1533,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":7.8,"remanded_pct":69.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":58.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":84,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":2.4,"remanded_pct":64.3},{"year":2018,"issues":181,"granted_pct":11,"denied_pct":4.4,"remanded_pct":68},{"year":2019,"issues":180,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":7.8,"remanded_pct":69.4},{"year":2020,"issues":171,"granted_pct":12.3,"denied_pct":7.6,"remanded_pct":68.4},{"year":2021,"issues":145,"granted_pct":7.6,"denied_pct":11,"remanded_pct":70.3},{"year":2022,"issues":162,"granted_pct":8,"denied_pct":4.3,"remanded_pct":75.9},{"year":2023,"issues":193,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":10.4,"remanded_pct":71},{"year":2024,"issues":177,"granted_pct":11.3,"denied_pct":6.8,"remanded_pct":72.9},{"year":2025,"issues":162,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":11.7,"remanded_pct":66.7},{"year":2026,"issues":80,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":11.3,"remanded_pct":65}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":302,"granted_pct_with":84.7,"granted_pct_without":48.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1214,"granted_pct_with":53.7,"granted_pct_without":76.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":435,"granted_pct_with":84.5,"granted_pct_without":38.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":860,"granted_pct_with":48.3,"granted_pct_without":69.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":599,"granted_pct_with":64.6,"granted_pct_without":53.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":88,"granted_pct_with":77.8,"granted_pct_without":57},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1319,"granted_pct_with":56.5,"granted_pct_without":75.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":75,"granted_pct_with":56.3,"granted_pct_without":59.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":110,"granted_pct_with":77.4,"granted_pct_without":56.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"100% rating for total occupational/social impairment","decisions":1},{"reason":"august 2019 va examination indicated mild or transient symptoms causing occupational and social impairment","decisions":1},{"reason":"bankhead v. shulkin, 29 vet. app. 10, 18-19 (2017) supports a higher rating based on suicidal ideation","decisions":1},{"reason":"behavior posed persistent danger to self and others","decisions":1},{"reason":"board bound by favorable aoj finding granting 100% based on apr 2022 exam","decisions":1}],"denied":[{"reason":"total occupational and social impairment not demonstrated","decisions":2},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":2},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":2},{"reason":"consistent denial of delusions and hallucinations","decisions":1},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1},{"reason":"deficiencies in most areas of occupational and social functioning noted","decisions":1}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26031274","year":2026,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"Veteran's symptoms approximate criteria for 70 percent rating.; Benefit of the doubt applied to grant the 70 percent rating.; Symptoms include anxiety, depressed mood, impaired impulse control, and social difficulties."},{"case_id":"A26030636","year":2026,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"Weight of evidence supports 50% rating.; Symptoms identified (anxiety, memory loss, difficulty adapting, impaired impulse control) align with criteria for 50% rating.; Veteran's employment and family relationships, though sometimes strained, prevent higher rating."},{"case_id":"A26026126","year":2026,"judge":"COLLEEN M. GLASER-ALLEN","rationale":"VA treatment records demonstrate ongoing and chronic suicidal ideation, irritability with reports of violence, depression, lack of appetite, anger, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.; Bankhead v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 10, 18-19 (2017) supports a higher rating based on suicidal ideat… [truncated, 207 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26014081","year":2026,"judge":"EMILY TAMLYN","rationale":"Symptoms more characteristic of 70% rating than 100%; Improvement with medication noted; Total occupational and social impairment not demonstrated"},{"case_id":"A26011909","year":2026,"judge":"M. DONOHUE","rationale":"Symptoms approximated 50% rating level; Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity; Difficulty adapting to stress noted, but overall impairment consistent with 50%"},{"case_id":"A26009426","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"Symptoms did not rise to the level of total occupational and social impairment required for 100% rating.; Inability to perform ADLs attributed to other service-connected disabilities, not acquired psychiatric disorder.; Positive social relationships weigh against total social impairment."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}