Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cognitive impairment or dementia was granted, effective May 5, 2023.,Service connection for depressive disorder due to Parkinson's Disease associated with herbicide exposure was also granted, effective May 5, 2023. The Veteran is now eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board has granted effective dates of September 9, 2023 for the grants of TDIU and SMC. The case is remanded for a new examination to address the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been so incurred. The Board found the VA examination opinion most probative, concluding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to his military noise exposure.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis under DSM-5 due to inadequate stressor support. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran's reported stressor was not related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and personal assault.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders due to another medical condition are currently rated at 70 percent effective June 27, 2023.,The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 70 percent from June 27, 2023.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent. His hypertension remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at May 2, 2023.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder with stimulant use disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for this condition from July 14, 2021, to January 9, 2023, and from March 1, 2023, and thereafter.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right ankle sprain disabilities, hemorrhoids, and major depression with psychotic features (to be rated together with PTSD) have been granted.,An increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated conditions has been granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to August 27, 2020.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, panic disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals due to untimely filing of the appeal requests, as no good cause was shown for the delay.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed as the July 2025 rating decision implementing the June 2025 Board decision is considered a purely ministerial action.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or recent to the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for depression, hypertension, and hiatal hernia due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in not adjudicating these issues in the July 2002 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are not granted as there is no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and gastritis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and gastritis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The appeal concerning the earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder with mixed depression and DEA eligibility is dismissed as the effective dates are already established.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss. The appeals for service connection for other conditions are remanded due to failure of the VA to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 15, 2022, for a 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not show factually ascertainable worsening in symptoms of the disability prior to December 15, 2022.