Depression decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and arthritis, but denied a higher rating for hypertension. The right shoulder disability claim was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings, granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, and remanded claims for service connection for varicose veins and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The appeal for service connection for scoliosis of the spine was dismissed, and claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD, other than persistent depressive disorder) and Type II diabetes mellitus were denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was insufficient evidence to establish that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 13, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for his major depressive disorder, finding that it was not factually ascertainable prior to June 2, 2017, that the Veteran experienced symptoms such as total occupational and social impairment.

The Board remands the claim for a psychiatric disorder to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence establishes an etiological relationship to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The appeal regarding service connection for anxiety, depression, major neurocognitive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines alone prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the migraine headaches was granted.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, due to a lack of proper VA examination and notification.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded claims for asthma, pulmonary embolism, thyroid cancer, acute pancreatitis, breast cancer, hypertension, left knee condition, right knee condition, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol/cannabis use disorder.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include chronic anxiety, social withdrawal, depression, and bipolar disorder, as additional evidence must be considered.