Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Board will consider all theories of entitlement, including noise exposure during service, harassment from supervisors, and the relationship between tinnitus and mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Court vacated and dismissed the Board decision with respect to the matters appealed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for new evidence regarding service connection for depression. The Veteran's claim is now pending again with instructions to obtain a new VA nexus opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's PTSD with service, particularly his claimed stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD as secondary to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right fifth finger tendinosis is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression, anxiety, and insomnia) are remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of increased rating for headache disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 28, 2017 substantive appeal was timely filed in response to the September 6, 2017 statements of the case. As a result, this appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, but the Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating based on more severe symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the service-connected neurocognitive disorder with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress from December 2, 2011, through October 6, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, moderate, with anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for complex regional pain syndrome, left 4th digit, left 5th digit, right 4th digit, and right 5th digit are remanded.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress, ADHD, and alcohol use disorder by history. His evaluation for major depressive disorder remains at 70 percent disabling but effective from April 28, 2025.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination to assess his PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to April 24, 2023. The examiner must consider the May 2019 Medical Treatment Record and lay statements provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating of his major depressive disorder has been denied. The effective date remains January 5, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left shoulder disability and individual unemployability claim.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for major depression, recurrent moderately severe was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms prior to January 17, 2020, most nearly approximated a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, back condition, and migraines. The claim for service connection for anxiety is remanded due to a lack of an adequate rationale in the previous medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, but denied service connection for schizophrenia. The effective dates for the awards are to be determined based on further development of claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have not met the criteria for a higher rating from May 16, 2015 to present. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disabilities and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2013 through January 20, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no remaining controversy with respect to this issue, and the Veteran is already compensated for his psychiatric symptoms through the award of major depressive disorder.