Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates related to CVA, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and gout have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew his claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a CVA with residuals, an effective date prior to January 14, 2011, for CVA, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea, and an effective date prior to November 7, 2014, for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent, but not higher, for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted from April 19, 2022. The effective date for service connection remains April 19, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lung cancer, hypertension, and depression were granted. The decision is based on reopening of his claims due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has granted a higher evaluation to 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 27, 2021 for service connection of major depressive disorder. As a result, the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including depressive disorder, cognitive impairment, chronic sinusitis, migraines, vertigo, anosmia, hypogeusia, and trigeminal nerve neuralgia, require aid and attendance. The Veteran is not eligible for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2). Without regular aid and attendance, the Veteran would need residential institutional care due to safety concerns.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include depression was previously adjudicated in another appeal stream and is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right 5th toe fracture has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of severe injury or loss of use of the foot.

The Veteran's bilateral photophobia and TBI with depression have been granted service connection, and the rating for TBI with depression has been increased to 70 percent. The issues of a compensable rating for tension headaches and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of allergic rhinitis. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, right hip condition, and right knee condition. The appeal was dismissed as a result.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression/major depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety/generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed moods. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including persistent depressive disorder, migraines, tinnitus, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it related to his active duty service and aggravated by his service-connected tibia fractures. The claim for hepatitis C is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for depressive disorder is established based on direct evidence of a current disability (depressive disorder) that was incurred during active duty service.

The appeal is dismissed as the funds withheld for direct payment of fees have been disbursed to the appellant in an October 2024 memorandum.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder alone renders him unemployable, and he is granted a TDIU effective April 10, 2020. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that entitlement arose on April 10, 2020, when service connection was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, due to a lack of examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The hearing loss claim is denied.