Depression decisions — 2025

The appeal of the identification of a duty to assist error during the higher-level review for major depression is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral carotid artery stenosis, cervical disc disease, thoracolumbar disc disease, Lewy body dementia with depression, sleep apnea, and others.

The appeal for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder was dismissed because the AOJ's deferral of the decision was not an appealable decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board granted a disability rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The service connection claims for migraine headaches and TBI were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, AUD, MDD, and unspecified depressive disorder, based on a traumatic stressor event during active military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for a supplemental VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, with unspecified depressive disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently claimed as PTSD, including depression and anxiety, due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities at least as likely as not result in his needing the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress and cannabis use disorder prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, granting a TDIU effective September 11, 2020.

The appeal for entitlement to an earlier effective date for PTSD and tinnitus was dismissed as untimely filed.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, for a VA examination with an etiological opinion.

The Board granted service connection for depression with anxiety and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are causally related to his active duty military service.

The Board denied service connection for a mental health condition, to include depression and anxiety, and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for ocular migraine (claimed as blurred vision) was remanded.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected depression, finding that it caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.