Depression decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right leg pain, left leg pain, right foot pain, and left foot pain, restored a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain effective March 1, 2021, denied increased ratings for tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, and right hip strain, granted an earlier effective date for depression, and granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder (MDD), as the evidence of record did not support a finding that MDD began during active service or was otherwise causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

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

The appeal regarding service connection for major depression disorder is dismissed as the claim was fully resolved in a May 2025 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, and OSA with insomnia, based on the evidence supporting a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the September 17, 2003 rating decision denying service connection for major depressive disorder was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 14, 2017, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation due to lack of evidence showing a belief in entitlement prior to the respective dates.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and increased ratings, except for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine which was granted with an effective date of November 9, 2012.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, due to inadequate VA examination reports and opinions.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, head trauma, and PTSD due to the lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran was granted an initial 10% disability rating for migraines but had other claims remanded or denied.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychological disorder and tinnitus, finding that the current ratings accurately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, psychiatric disabilities, cervical and lumbar spine issues, knee strains, shoulder and wrist conditions, and a ventral hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the current presence of related disabilities.

The Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety, on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected physical disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and adjustment disorder, as a pre-decisional duty to assist error was identified.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for Depressive Disorder Due to Chronic Pain Syndrome with Major Depressive Like Episode with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 28, 2019.