Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, specifically diagnosed depressive disorder, is granted as related to service. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since November 21, 2018, due to multiple service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress), as well as cold weather injury residuals of the hands and knees.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, no evidence of continuity of symptomatology, and insufficient medical opinion linking current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia disorder, depressive type, with histories of schizophrenia, major depressive episode, and PTSD. The case is being remanded to ensure an adequate opinion is provided.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been withdrawn, and the cases of right elbow, left elbow, neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder with intermittent major depressive-like episodes with anxious distress due to chronic pain syndrome, is granted effective October 6, 2022. The decision acknowledges that the Veteran did not appeal the previous denial and no new and material evidence was received within one year.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability, GERD, DM, CAD, and ED have been granted with effective dates ranging from July 29, 2022 to September 8, 2021. The claim for service connection for OSA was denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the review period.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. The earlier effective date claims for erectile dysfunction and SMC (k) are remanded due to procedural issues.

Service connection for IBS is granted due to exposure to toxic hazards during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Service connection for sinusitis and chronic sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis or confirmation by medical records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and compensable ratings for TBI and tension headaches. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder was granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 13, 2024. The TDIU claim is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's mixed muscle contraction and vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they have not manifested with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not manifested with total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with generalized anxiety and insomnia disorders was granted effective August 25, 2022. The appeal to have the effective date earlier is dismissed as the Veteran is already in receipt of the benefit he seeks.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, and the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further evaluation. The left heel spur claim is also remanded to determine if bilateral plantar fasciitis or other foot disorders are related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 29, 2019, until July 6, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and circadian rhythm sleep disorder was denied, with the effective date remaining February 6, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral elbow and knee disorders, headaches (including migraines), and visual impairment are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, effective July 14, 2020. He is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate for the same period.