Depression decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for MDD with anxious distress, as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the April 2015 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for binge eating disorder and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with instability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the period prior to May 12, 2023, and a rating in excess of 70 percent from May 12, 2023.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the regular need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety, but remanded the claims for left knee disability, headache disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and remanded claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the disability rating for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed as it was not a final decision.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

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

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a disability rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to determine the relationship between the reported loss of bladder and bowel sphincter control and the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder was granted a disability rating of 100 percent from March 27, 2008 to August 9, 2019, and the same for his persistent depressive disorder with TBI and PTSD from August 9, 2019.

The Board remanded the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers because the initial VA decision was conclusory and based on an incorrect interpretation of regulatory requirements for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction.' A new medical opinion must be obtained that properly applies the correct statutory criteria and addresses how the Veteran's diagnoses affect daily functioning.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the appeals related to proposed reduction of PTSD, entitlement to service connection for deviated septum, anger issues, anxiety, and depression due to procedural defects.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) due to the severity of symptoms affecting occupational and social functioning.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted a 100 percent rating, and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was also granted from March 31, 2011.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection claims and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to untimely appeals.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 21, 2021, for the increased rating to 100 percent for major depressive disorder, bipolar I disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety and denied special monthly compensation based on housebound status.