Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and service connection for hypertension and tinnitus. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension and tinnitus claims, so both are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted an increased rating to 100 percent effective February 9, 2011. Service connection for hypertension due to aggravation by medication for the service-connected psychiatric disability is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of VA to obtain mental health treatment records from Tuskegee VAMC. The Veteran is required to provide new medical release forms for any non-VA providers who treated her PTSD, and VA must attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for specific trauma/stress related disorder, with depressive disorder is denied.,The earlier effective date prior to October 2, 2020, for service connection for non-allergic rhinitis is denied.,The earlier effective date prior to August 1, 1987, for service connection for surgical scar, left clavicle is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD on an aggravation basis of his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on a VA medical opinion that found the Veteran's mental health conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for recurrent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability from December 17, 2020, is granted to 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression and mood swings, cold weather injuries of the upper and lower extremities, ankle conditions, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, left hip condition, hypertension, and bilateral teeth condition. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's current disorders of the right knee, left knee, right hip, low back, and right elbow are related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a concurrent election of review.,The appeal for service connection for depression is also dismissed as it is subsumed by the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder and persistent depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective July 31, 2022. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted since July 31, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, left ankle fracture, and left knee strain was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle fracture. However, he is granted service connection for the left knee strain as secondary to his right knee strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2005 for the grant of TDIU and SMC based on housebound status. The appellant's service-connected neuropsychiatric condition and depressive disorder prevented him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder was dismissed because the Veteran requested and received approval for this condition from the AOJ after filing an appeal to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder is granted, effective from March 5, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and prostate cancer residuals, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his mental health issues and physical limitations.

The Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is determined to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and right shoulder degenerative joint disease, with recurrent dislocations.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits is granted due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depression, which were incurred during her Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, were granted. The rating for Raynaud's disease was restored to a lower level, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA were established.