Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is found to be the cause of his depressive disorder, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered remand for the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is not provided with proper notice regarding his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. §​3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1). Additionally, the VA back examination was inadequate as it did not address functional loss due to pain or ameliorative effects of medications.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is denied as the earliest possible effective date is April 27, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of proper notification and examination. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, rhinitis, sinusitis, anxiety, mood disorder, depression, or nightmares as there are no confirmed diagnoses at any point during her appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his PTSD disability rating has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating prior to January 10, 2019, for major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an earlier increase in disability within the one-year period preceding the date of claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder associated with asthma and obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed because the decision implementing the October 31, 2024 Board decision was deemed purely ministerial.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, which includes unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is now rated at 70 percent effective April 6, 2017.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not productive of limitation of motion to a degree that warrants an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. Service connection for left hip and right hip disabilities, depression, and anxiety are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is related to in-service stressor events. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. However, the Veteran does not have a separately diagnosed sleep disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression (major depressive disorder) should be remanded due to a lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been denied.,There is no indication of any service-connection claim related to the PACT Act in this decision.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of August 22, 2022 for the award of service connection for right hip strain with limitation of abduction, adduction, or rotation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, recurrent. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will consider additional evidence and request a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected hypertension and hypothyroidism have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected unspecified insomnia disorder with depressive disorder has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions necessitate the need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to perform his activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, showering, dressing, ambulating within the home or living area, transferring, medication management, cleaning, and feeding himself. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.