Depression decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as alcoholism, anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD) and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service. The Veteran's inconsistent statements were considered, and the Board found that his lay testimony was not credible.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,New evidence has been submitted that may support service connection for a neck condition. The claim is remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his squamous cell carcinoma and depression. The claims are related as they both involve esophageal cancer, which is linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected PTSD, is an intermediate step in causing his current OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to migraine headaches has been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a rating in excess of this amount.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) were denied because there was no evidence of a current disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with TBI and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 27, 2021 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of both issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anxiety and depression due to the incomplete nexus opinion regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by the service-connected tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's GERD is related to his service-connected psychiatric disorders, but a VA examination was needed to determine if it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to be causally related to his current major depressive disorder, and the Board grants service connection for this acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and major depressive disorder, is found to have first manifested during service and continues today. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his active service.

The Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, effective July 26, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected TBI with memory loss is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests a medical opinion from a neuropsychologist or psychiatrist to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability can be distinguished from any non-TBI mental health diagnosis and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected TBI.