Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD was received on April 12, 2024. The effective date is set to the date of receipt of the claim, which is April 12, 2024.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of allergic rhinitis, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or prostate cancer.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and her left shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left shoulder strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are related to his service, granting the claim for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed disabilities to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee postoperative traumatic scar, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are related to the severity of his mental health conditions and their impact on his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), sleep apnea, and COPD as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's insomnia and depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder due to deficiencies in the record, including a lack of adequate VA examination prior to the decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric disorder, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or any other claimed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for major/unspecified depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are due to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes depressive disorder with major depressive-like episode and alcohol use disorder, was reduced from a 70% rating to a 50% rating. The Board has restored the original 70% rating due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's right hand degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issues of depression, insomnia, hypertension (secondary to depression), eczema, gastrointestinal issues, and left hand disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated under the same criteria as her generalized anxiety disorder because their symptoms are duplicative and overlap, violating pyramiding rules. Therefore, a separate rating for depression cannot be granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to have been incurred in service due to his reported in-service trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.