Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder was granted. He is now rated at 100% from February 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for major depressive disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and low back condition due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and melancholic features is rated at 50 percent from January 20, 2011, and at 70 percent from November 19, 2021. Effective dates for TDIU, DEA based on permanent and total disability status, and SMC at the 's' rate are set to November 19, 2021.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at its maximum schedular rating of 70 percent from February 10, 2022. Effective dates for TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status are set to November 19, 2021.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and neurocognitive disorder due to epilepsy are rated at 70 percent effective April 28, 2022. Other service-connected conditions have not resulted in a higher rating.

The Veteran's March 21, 2025 appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the May 9, 2023 rating decision that denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Substance Use Disorder Syndrome. The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of timely filing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, was granted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is service-connected due to an in-service event involving protests and threats of violence during his deployment to Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to this stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date before March 14, 2022, for service connection of IVDS, MDD, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain, or right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety, are found to be the result of his active-duty service. The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with TBI residuals, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to failure to notify and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The claim of service connection for cause of death is being remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 30, 2023, for a 100 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. He also receives a 50 percent rating for tension headaches with migraines as of the same date and effective dates for SMC at the housebound rate and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, acquired psychological disorder, and personality disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of depression, sleep issues condition, sinusitis, right wrist condition pain and numbness, right hand with trigger finger, mood changes (claimed as memory and concentration condition), bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 3, 2016 for the award of a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and marijuana dependence meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder is denied. The Board grants earlier effective dates of May 8, 2023 (but no earlier) for the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 and individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's recurrent moderate major depressive disorder with anxious distress, hypertension disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and headache disorder are all found to be related to service.