Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria are granted as of September 1, 2019. DEA eligibility is also granted as of that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder is granted an initial 100 percent rating, resolving the claim in full.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with the Board determining that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent cervical spine disability other than the service-connected nonmalignant schwannoma residuals with cervical spine laminectomy residuals is denied. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 9, 2022, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and bruxism is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,For his service-connected persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, the Veteran is assigned a 50 percent disability rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, unspecified depressive disorder (formerly PTSD), and skin condition (onychomycosis) are all granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because the appeal under Docket No. 230927-383581 is a duplicate of an earlier appeal under Docket No. 230927-383579.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, or establishing service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), deviated septum, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's service connection for Parkinson's disease and associated conditions, including incomplete paralysis of the upper and lower extremities and loss of smell, is granted with an effective date of August 13, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, general anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder with anxious distress, insomnia, major depressive disorder, and nightmare disorder; OSA; and tinnitus. The Veteran's appealed issues regarding erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders of depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for MDD was denied, and the Board granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU between April 15, 2013 and August 12, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal for prior periods is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations for an incarcerated Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for seizure disorder, psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder), and denied service connection for COPD. The seizures are presumed related to in-service hyperventilation syndrome. The psychiatric condition is presumed to have preexisted service but the Veteran's current condition is found to be related to service stressors. COPD is not found to be related to in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar degenerative disk disease with herniated disks and stenosis status post hemilaminectomy, microdiscectomy, and fusion, have rendered him unemployable since February 5, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.