Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and is therefore denied service connection for this condition. The mental health and GERD claims are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and panic disorder. The claims for allergic rhinitis and COPD are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to an improper concurrent election, meaning that a request for higher-level review and a direct board appeal were submitted concurrently. The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as it did not meet jurisdictional requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD with anxiety and major depression has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding obtaining community care documents and providing an addendum medical opinion on causation and aggravation of sleep apnea by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, diabetes mellitus, type II, COPD, asthma, and atrial fibrillation due to a procedural defect.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an effective date of May 11, 2017 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed as moot. The appeal also seeks basic eligibility to dependents' educational assistance based on permanent and total disability status, which is also dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 12, 2015 for the award of service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD and major depressive disorder), finding that the presumption of regularity was rebutted due to delays in mailing decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression and peripheral neuropathy both meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.,SMC is granted at a rate of $50 per month for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to November 23, 2022 is denied. The claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and DEA benefits are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are directly related to events during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD to include depressive disorder and generalized anxiety is denied. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendonitis/tendinosis, unspecified headaches, and allergic rhinitis are granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's right little finger disability is rated noncompensable, as the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code does not account for his symptoms.,For PTSD, alcohol use disorder, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, shift work type with major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating based on total occupational and social impairment.