Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, and opioid use disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities were primarily due to childhood trauma and witnessing traumatic events during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a lumbar disorder, a cervical disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), a bilateral foot disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity) based on new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a lumbar disorder, a cervical disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), and a bilateral foot disorder based on new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony and need for additional records from his National Guard service. The issues of PTSD, depression, and a left knee disability are intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and secondary service connection for Depressive Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 9, 2024, and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring further evaluation and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed acquired psychological disorders (including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) and his service.

The Veteran's Alzheimer's dementia is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, including Agent Orange.

The Veteran is granted effective dates for awards of SMC at various rates, with the earliest being December 13, 2023. The SMC is awarded based on his service-connected conditions and their impact on his daily life.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress is found to have caused or contributed to the development of his Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The Veteran is not eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) as he can independently perform all activities of daily living without requiring personal care services and is not in need of supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and total disability rating for individual employability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating and service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was granted, with an effective date of March 31, 2011. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits from the same date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, dental disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression have been dismissed. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional development and verification of in-service stressors. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and TDIU due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his service, including his in-service occupation as a firefighter and reports of witnessing death and grievous bodily injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 15, 2019 for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder. The claim was not pending before this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate was granted with an effective date of January 14, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran did not receive notice of a prior denial and thus her initial claim remained pending.