Depression
Depression and other acquired psychiatric disorders are rated like PTSD, on occupational and social impairment, and are often claimed as secondary to a physical service-connected condition.
Across 7,536 real Board appeals for Depression
69% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 24%
- Partly granted 21%
- Remanded 24%
- Denied 23%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Depression was linked to service:
- Direct service connection2,494
- Secondary to another service-connected condition374
- Reopened with new & material evidence259
How it’s rated, in practice
When Depression was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 100% (799)
- 70% (558)
- 50% (179)
- 10% (74)
- 30% (70)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- Gulf War61
- PACT Act59
- Agent Orange / herbicides41
- Camp Lejeune water36
- Burn pits & airborne hazards7
Real decisions
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and seizures disabilities preclude work in a substantially gainful occupation, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder with social anxiety disorder and PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
What you can do next
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.