Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected psychiatric disability and GERD, effective December 30, 2021.

The Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder was caused by the conceded stressor during his service in Germany, and the Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for migraines. The Veteran's current migraines are being evaluated for potential aggravation by service-connected musculoskeletal conditions and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for the grants of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status are being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to address the issue of clear and unmistakable error in the February 2017 rating decision. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service. The AOJ must obtain an adequate medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's depression preexisted active service and was not aggravated by service, and whether he has a personality disorder that may be superimposed on his preexisting depression.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma or stressor related disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxious distress, is rated at a 70 percent rating from February 14, 2019, to June 8, 2020.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for the same period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence, including lay statements and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, and the effective date of December 26, 2013 is now correct due to a retroactive application of law.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD is dismissed as it constitutes a freestanding claim and does not stem from the December 2023 rating decision that awarded service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected PTSD was denied. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the receipt of the claim, thus denying any earlier effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including whether they are caused by active service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety and depression, as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The persuasive weight of the evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a TDIU effective from January 27, 2020. The issue of service connection for depression was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied, and the Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, back pain, depression, hernia, left foot pain, right foot pain, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, high blood pressure, sensitive testicles, sleep apnea, and tinnitus have also been dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises prior to his death, granting entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status for accrued purposes.

The appeal seeking revision of the October 2005 rating decision that denied entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to obtain additional medical evidence. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with all relevant records considered.