Depression decisions — 2026

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2024. The Board found that the previous denial in 1992 did not apply due to lack of notice and the Veteran's intent to file on August 14, 2024.

The Veteran's MDD caused total occupational and social impairment from February 16, 2023. The Board granted an effective date of February 16, 2023 for the 100 percent rating for MDD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70% rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted, with the effective date set at July 7, 2021. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal for various conditions and TDIU was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective March 31, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and insomnia, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent effective January 10, 2025. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent from that date was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD do not result in total occupational and social impairment, but the right knee conditions are rated at their highest level of disability.

The rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was reduced from 70% to 30%, but this reduction is now overturned and the original 70% rating is restored.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for other conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of February 21, 1989. The decision is based on new evidence received after the initial denial in May 1989.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing National Guard records, including those from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to address the theory of aggravation by service-connected tinnitus in the December 2024 VA medical opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for anxiety and depression, which he claims are aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. A new VA examination is required to determine the etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable and effective from February 21, 2023.,Service connection for a lumbar strain was granted with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but it was denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been service connected and the effective date is August 8, 2022.,Depressive disorder received a grant with an effective date of June 7, 2021.,Service connection for BPPV was granted as secondary to migraines.,Right hip condition and left hip condition were denied service connection.,Acne, erectile dysfunction, scars, diabetes, left foot condition, right foot condition, and retina condition were all denied service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, GAD, and AUD due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the cause of his condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD was granted, but only at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder) are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with the addition of relevant SSA records and VA treatment records.