Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent effective May 12, 2023.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from August 10, 2021. She also receives SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and insomnia) is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination. The claim for migraines is also remanded.,The Veteran's right knee strain and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the acquired psychiatric condition and migraines claims require further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder with TBI is denied, and her headaches are granted a 50 percent rating. Service connection for hypertension is established.

The Veteran's initial claims for bilateral hearing loss and rhinitis were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection was denied for traumatic brain injury, tuberculosis, umbilical hernia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder), and a right eye disability.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and psychotic features is rated at 100 percent effective November 5, 2017, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was withdrawn. His claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded his claims for service connection for right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 4, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and factual inaccuracies in previous examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety disorder and depression, are being reviewed for direct service connection.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 26, 2018. The remaining issues of increased ratings for the right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), and alcohol and substance abuse disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was denied as there was no persuasive evidence linking any current disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of depressive disorder, LLE weakness, and impairment of sphincter control is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for MS is denied.,A 10 percent rating for CFS is granted.,A 50 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,A 10 percent rating for migraines with visual disturbances is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for LUE weakness is denied.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for RLE weakness is denied.,A 10 percent rating for LLE weakness is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to potential herbicide exposure at Kadena Air Force Base. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression and anxiety, alcohol use disorder, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are all related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension are all being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

An effective date of September 18, 2017, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease with an implanted cardiac pacemaker is granted. The claim for unspecified depressive disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, finding that the conditions are related to military sexual trauma experienced during Reserve duty.

The Board has determined that the current diagnoses of PTSD, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder are not clearly identified in the record. Therefore, the claim is being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.