Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened in February 2022, and he was granted service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder effective February 11, 2022. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and his current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and GAD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and other disabilities have resulted in a 70 percent combined rating, allowing for the grant of TDIU effective July 1, 2018.

The Veteran's mental condition, including depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder, is remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if it is related to service or due to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds the existing VA examination inadequate and requires further analysis.

The Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal requesting a higher initial rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied because the appeal was not timely filed, and good cause was not shown.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of this rating has been denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with persistent depressive disorder, acid reflux, incontinence, and COPD are all granted as service-connected. The other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and rectal disabilities are also remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, depression, hypertension, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are remanded as there is indication that these conditions may be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, TBI, and Meniere's syndrome is rated at 70 percent effective January 14, 2019. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied. The reduction of VA compensation due to felony incarceration was found proper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, depressive disorder, chronic kidney disease, and partial amputation of fingers with ankylosis in the right hand, prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and moderate major depressive disorder due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing hearing loss for VA purposes.,Affording the Veteran the benefit of doubt, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is granted.,The Veteran's right knee strain with limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence showing more than limited flexion.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is denied, and a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are each rated at 10 percent.,A higher rating for service-connected left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and intention tremors.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating has been dismissed.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective May 24, 2022. A subsequent decision increased the effective date to February 16, 2022. The appeal for an initial compensable rating remains pending.,The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective December 17, 2024. The appeal for a higher evaluation remains pending.

The appeal seeking entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder strain is dismissed.,The appeals seeking service connection for right shoulder disability and obesity are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and schedule him for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress has rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since May 5, 2023. Effective April 19, 2024, the Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation due to his additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher evaluation for migraine disability, and the effective date of service connection are all remanded due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and depression due to new evidence received after the initial decision.