Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder are granted secondary to his substance abuse disorder, with a rating of 70 percent effective February 27, 2019. The appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder with anxious distress), and headaches are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and SMC were dismissed as the requests were made concurrently, violating the rules on concurrent elections.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, due to military sexual trauma during active duty. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt rule.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination in connection with the service connection claim for depression and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and alcohol use disorder, are currently diagnosed and treated.

An effective date earlier than May 31, 2023, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress is granted. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for the mental health disability prior to January 11, 2024, is remanded.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this matter as it is no longer pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to January 14, 2022, as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records, requiring further examination and development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders, including diagnosed depressive and insomnia disorders, are granted. The heart disorder and neurological disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his symptoms, which prevented him from performing the type of activities required by employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant VA treatment records being added after the issuance of the SOC, as well as outstanding private treatment records from a private clinician at Ochsner Medical Center. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and sleep disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

Effective July 6, 2021, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted.,Effective July 6, 2021, a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's psychiatric disability is granted.,Effective July 6, 2021, eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety as due to in-service military sexual trauma, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, lower back disability, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, head pain (also claimed as sores on the head), and flat feet (also claimed as irritation feet) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was granted, and he is now in receipt of a 70 percent rating prior to August 17, 2023.