Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for the proposed reduction of facial scars, an increased rating for tinnitus, and service connection for migraines have been dismissed due to untimely filings or lack of good cause.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress is dismissed due to procedural error. The claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee disabilities, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder was denied. The initial disability rating for hypothyroidism remains at noncompensable, and the Veteran's request for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for moderate recurrent MDD with PTSD and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left wrist condition.,The Board also granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right elbow disability, both of which are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and PTSD due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement. The claim of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied in various aspects, including evaluations for Parkinson's disease and its residuals, urinary problems, upper extremity conditions, difficulty chewing and swallowing, constipation, loss of sense of smell, sexual dysfunction, speech changes, and stooped posture. The appeals were remanded multiple times.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2018. The Board found that his current employer provides accommodations beyond those required by the ADA, creating a protected work environment for him.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but no higher. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for cognitive residuals of TBI from October 23, 2008, and a 70 percent rating is granted from February 11, 2020. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since August 31, 2007. His service-connected acquired psychiatric disability renders him unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the appellant's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and/or schizophrenia, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claim is readjudicated.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to eczema with a 30% disability rating effective October 27, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of April 9, 2020, but no earlier, due to his submission of an intent to file on April 9, 2020 and completion of a supplemental claim within one year.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows significant impairment but no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete military records indicating unaccounted-for overseas deployments. The AOJ is instructed to make efforts to acquire additional military records and determine the full scope of the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, but rather a level of impairment that warranted a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is manifested by total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's asthma and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD with anxiety/depression) are remanded for further development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since June 1, 2018. The effective date for the 100% rating is May 1, 2024.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, indicating moderate occupational and social impairment.