Depression decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism as untimely, and no extension of time was granted. The issues of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma throat irritation and depression associated with it were placed on a separate docket.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate, finding that he did not meet the criteria for this benefit prior to October 14, 2020 due to lack of a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran was also deemed unemployable solely by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, identified as depressive disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 18, 2010 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder with TBI have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to this date.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's disability level is rated as noncompensable (Level II). For depressive disorder with TBI, the Veteran's disability rating remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.,The effective date for service connection of depressive disorder was denied because it was granted on August 1, 2023, which is the earliest date he filed a fully developed claim.,The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility was also denied as it was awarded on October 11, 2023, and not earlier than that date.,TDIU was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for dementia, but remanded the claims of PTSD and major depressive disorder due to a failure to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder did not warrant a higher disability rating than 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and depressive disorder due to medical condition, both of which are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination, and thus the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and OSA are denied. The cervical strain and generalized anxiety disorder claims are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2025 rating decision, which increased the Veteran's depressive disorder rating to 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use in remission was denied. The current assigned rating of 50% is not considered sufficient, as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been granted an initial 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, substance abuse disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for right foot disorder and left foot disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychological disorder to include depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and clarifying his diagnosis. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and she is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 3, 2013 was denied as there were no service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the appeal (April 22, 2024), due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.