Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the remaining issues related to anxiety, depression, foot disability, knee disabilities, back disability, gastrointestinal disability, hypertension, and sleep disability.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD has precluded her from securing and following substantially gainful employment since July 11, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to November 6, 2020, for his service-connected PTSD and MDD was denied as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment. The appeal of entitlement to TDIU from November 6, 2020, is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and anxious distress is granted as the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of his claim, linking it to an in-service head injury.,The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches are also granted due to a link between the in-service incident and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate with cocaine use disorder was granted. The other issues on appeal are still pending and need further review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire initial rating period from June 4, 2014 through May 15, 2017. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting an initial 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was denied. The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's symptoms of anxiety during service may be related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective September 7, 2024. The Board has remanded the service connection for left hand fracture and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and persistent depressive disorder do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as the evidence does not show that these disabilities render him completely unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found no effective date earlier than September 19, 2012 for Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and bilateral flatfoot are denied. A disability rating of 40 percent for back disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of VA mental health examination or medical opinion regarding PTSD. The Veteran's statements will be considered as part of the new in-person examination.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective January 16, 2026. The Board has remanded several issues for further review.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, TDIU, DEA eligibility, and SMC all back to April 29, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's failure to timely file a Board Appeal request within one year of the rating decisions, and no good cause was shown for the delay.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent from November 17, 2023 to May 21, 2024. The claims for service connection for depression, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate disability, bladder disability, and arthritis throughout the body are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for depression and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and alcohol dependence/unspecified alcohol use disorder, are remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his active duty service.