Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation of certain conditions.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection related to various conditions should be remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and tinnitus, have caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has found that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,The Veteran also asserts entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected depressive disorder. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under schedular considerations.

The Veteran's MDD with TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 9, 2014, to July 1, 2017, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status claims were denied as his depressive disorder alone did not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he was not permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's increased rating of 50% for depressive disorder and service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC-K, finding that the Veteran had continuously pursued his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and varicose veins prevent her from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted an earlier effective date of September 1, 2020 for a 70% evaluation. Service connection for low back disability (levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in VA's duty to notify, specifically failing to provide notice of his right to an AOJ hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show diagnoses of adjustment disorder with anxiety and mixed anxiety and depressed mood during active duty. A VA examination in November 2024 diagnosed PTSD but did not address other claimed conditions. Another VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

Service connection is granted for left elbow tendonitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder).,PTSD, erectile dysfunction, lower back strain, and migraines are remanded for further development.

The appellant's claim for a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for his service-connected depressive disorder is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned. The appellant is currently receiving the highest possible level of SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition is denied. The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder (psychiatric disability) are granted, as they are secondary to the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 29, 2019, for a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is denied. The effective date remains July 24, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal to grant an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed because it was considered a concurrent election with his request for review under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the AOJ failing to make reasonable efforts to obtain all treatment records, including VA-authorized ones. The missing records may contain information relevant to both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia (including major depressive disorder with anxious distress) is granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective April 30, 2023.