Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues related to his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD to include major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and opioid use disorder is granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) should be remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination in connection with this claim, which was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted a Level 2 stipend under the PCAFC due to the Veteran's need for continuous supervision and instruction, as he suffers from hallucinations, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and psychosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability (PTSD), an in-service occurrence (witnessing the death of a fellow serviceman), and a nexus between his symptoms and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC based on loss of use of both feet and need for regular aid and attendance was denied as the Board found that assigning separate ratings for these conditions would violate pyramiding rules due to overlapping service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records, including community care and Vet Center records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, but it is unclear if it contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2016, for his entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence showed that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA disability compensation purposes and thus, service connection is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for depression (claimed as major depression) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder before the decision was made by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist and obtain adequate VA examinations and opinions addressing whether the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders were directly incurred during service or are secondary to his tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches and their secondary effects. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were aggravated by military service.

A 50 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and a 60 percent rating for Narcolepsy with Cataplexy have been granted. The TDIU claim is being remanded.,The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 50 percent, which corresponds to the symptoms listed in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to May 11, 2021 are being remanded due to errors in adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the VA opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including his in-service symptoms and continued depressive symptomatology.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition with depression and panic attacks, as new evidence submitted by the appellant relates to whether his conditions are related to military service.

The appeal concerning the issues of cervical spondylosis, high blood pressure, thoracolumbar spine disability (low back pain), unspecified right leg condition, anxiety (depression/insomnia), hypothyroidism, residuals of heat stroke, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder condition is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches, with the latter being secondary to the former. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's active-duty service and his current conditions.