Depression decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and a thoracolumbar spine disability was dismissed due to a claims processing error, while the appeal for sinusitis was denied. The Veteran's initial rating for mild restrictive lung disease (RLD) was granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, hearing loss, and a degenerative spine condition due to VA's failure to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its failure to properly schedule examinations.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as no VA examination or medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has been conducted.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 23, 2000, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and MDD.

The Board granted service connection for left great toe fracture, bilateral hallux valgus, and major depressive disorder, while denying posttraumatic stress disorder and granting erectile dysfunction as secondary to the major depressive disorder. A 30 percent disability rating was assigned for the left great toe fracture.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and PTSD, as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service disease or injury related to a psychiatric disorder, nor was there a credible supporting evidence that any claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

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

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder effective May 2, 2024.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and denied the claims for an earlier effective date prior to January 25, 2022, and increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headaches, granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome, and denied a compensable rating for left eye chorioretinal scar and a higher rating for major depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and antisocial personality disorder, as it was directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, with anxious distress, with medical co-morbidity from July 25, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, assigned a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder from September 13, 2016, to September 25, 2017, and denied other claims.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression, based on a medical opinion linking the conditions to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia as well as cervical spine strain, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. A 40 percent rating was assigned for gastritis.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 10, 2016, for the grant of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and major depressive disorder disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and major adjustment disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg shin splints, and right shoulder condition were remanded.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board granted service connection for other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic features, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression with generalized anxiety and insomnia disorder. The claims for fatigue and sleep apnea were remanded.