Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options, as the Higher-Level Review requests were still pending and not withdrawn at the time the VA Form 10182 was submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The VA is required to provide another examination and obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated and are granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck disability (secondary to low back disability) and depression (secondary to low back disability). Additionally, the TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to a need for supervision, protection or instruction without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program and provide complete notice as required by law.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders including depression disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. The appeal was reopened based on new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, finding that there was no persuasive evidence of a separate diagnosis of anxiety under DSM-5 and that his symptoms were better accounted for by his already service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors in assigning a rating for depressive disorder and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected insomnia with depressive disorder, as well as the potential aggravation of obesity by these conditions.

The Veteran's symptoms have been manifested by total occupational and social impairment due to intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, warranting a 100 percent evaluation for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and insomnia was previously rated at 70 percent, effective February 29, 2016. The AOJ reduced this rating to 50 percent effective December 1, 2019. The Board has restored the 70 percent rating as it does not meet the criteria for a reduction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety and bruxism is currently rated at 70 percent prior to March 1, 2023, but a 100 percent rating has been granted as of April 29, 2025.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, including obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 30, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The rating for PTSD with MDD and psychotic features remains at 100 percent, the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The IBS rating is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for radiculopathy of the RUE and back disability were both denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, sleep apnea, gastric ulcer, and depressive disorder are granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and central nervous system disability (including syncope or pseudomeningocele) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with MDD was denied as the evidence did not show that her disability met the criteria for such a rating prior to January 12, 2021.