Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been dismissed. Claims for hepatitis C, aortic aneurysm, liver condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU based solely on his depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating, but not total occupational and social impairment. His TDIU has already been granted.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and initial rating for major depressive disorder, moderate, recurrent with insomnia disorder have been granted. The Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II and his major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of March 25, 2021. He is also awarded a 100% rating for this condition starting from that date and his TDIU claim is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total rating of 100 percent for major depressive disorder without psychotic features, and also a TDIU prior to January 22, 2019.,The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the lack of relevant medical records from within one year prior to the Veteran's intent to file.

Effective May 18, 2017, the Veteran received a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,Effective May 18, 2017, the Veteran also received a 40 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.,Effective December 2, 2005, an initial 70 percent rating was granted for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her in-service insomnia. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral tibia bipartite sesamoid.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 18, 2015. The claim for depression remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hypertension, TDIU, and a new rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, right and left knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 29, 2014 for the award of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD with depression and established basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 from October 29, 2014 to November 20, 2016.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for anxiety disorder NOS with depression and PTSD features. The Board finds that the criteria are not met, as his entitlement to this rating arose after August 27, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding several claims, including earlier effective dates and ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease, open angle glaucoma, major depressive disorder, TDIU, DEA, SMC, and a rating increase. The Board dismissed these issues as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and arthritis, have rendered him unable to engage in his previous job as an equipment operator. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders to his military service. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's rectal prolapse is granted an initial rating of 50 percent. The claims for service connection for right lower extremity radicular pain, left lower extremity radicular pain, hemorrhoids, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dry eyes, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including to properly address the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability and whether he is entitled to a TDIU. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with Severe Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features and Severe Alcohol Use Disorder, and entitlement to a TDIU are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and tinnitus have been dismissed due to a prior grant of service connection in June 2025. The claim for tinnitus is being remanded.