Depression decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for depression, chronic ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acne, arthritis, heart attack, thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, catarrhal fever (common cold), foot disability, ventral hernia, dental disability, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar spectrum disorder prior to January 3, 2025.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, finding that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as a TDIU prior to July 16, 2016, due to missing records and unclear employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU from August 17, 2023. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) due to his TDIU.

The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent rating for his unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress from December 22, 2021 to April 29, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, GERD, and OSA due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for persistent depression and remanded the claim for service connection of right calcaneal fracture and right 5th metatarsal fracture as secondary to the service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding a relationship between the current disability and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to January 25, 2017 and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 26, 2016.

The Board remands the issues for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, collectively warranted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 7, 2022 to October 9, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, avascular necrosis of the left hip, and sleep apnea, all as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a depressive disorder, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as higher ratings for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities and scars.

The appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board granted service connection for depression and anxiety, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The back and neck conditions were remanded for further examination.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to readjudicate her service connection claim for panic disorder (also claimed as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.