Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current symptoms began during his military service and have continued since then.

The Board has decided that new evidence supports the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a mental disorder, but dismissed appeals seeking compensable ratings for residuals of right hand 5th metacarpal fracture and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied in March 2010 due to lack of current disability. The appeal is dismissed as the March 2010 decision did not become final because new and material evidence was received within a year of the denial.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder due to medical condition, which is related to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus with tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. The rating assigned is 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's unspecified depressive disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder was granted effective February 10, 2022.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted effective January 10, 2022.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia, have been rated at 50 percent since the initial decision. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, but excluding PTSD. The Veteran's mental health conditions are found to be causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for insomnia, depression, and mood disorder was dismissed because the March 2025 rating decision did not adjudicate these claims. The Veteran submitted a supplemental claim seeking service connection for anxiety condition, adjustment disorder, and depression (which had already been granted), but this did not address the issue of service connection for insomnia.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current psychiatric disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar affective disorder. The Board finds that the facts of this case establish entitlement to VA examination and/or medical opinion regarding the claim due to a possible association between the Veteran's in-service experiences and his current conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as the current opinions are inadequate. The issues of service connection and secondary service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder have been raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and CAD due to insufficient medical opinions in the March 2025 rating decision. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings, except for the SMC based on housebound criteria being met. The claim for SMC was denied because the evidence did not show that the Veteran was permanently housebound prior to April 26, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 3, 2022, for the award of service connection for aortic aneurysm is granted. The rating assigned remains at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is related to service or pre-existing conditions. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted, and the effective date of this award is set at April 7, 1993.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective October 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress associated with migraine headaches prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 23, 2015. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2015.