Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is granted service connection as it is etiologically related to his military service.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis under the DSM-5.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70% disability rating effective August 15, 2025. The earlier date of April 22, 2022, is not considered as the claim for higher rating has been continuously pursued.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD. The decision also grants service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault during boot camp.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities effective October 1, 2010. The award of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also granted as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his unspecified depressive disorder from July 30, 2015 is dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has denied the appeal to restore service connection for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, finding that severance was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied, but he was granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder on the basis that it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed due to his mental health crisis, and the Board found no good cause for extending the time limit. The decision denying service connection is final.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a denial of the claim for an evaluation higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not meeting VA compensation criteria.,Obstructive sleep apnea, left knee strain, and mental health conditions are remanded for further review.,Left knee strain is remanded for further review.,Mental health condition (anxiety, depression, and alcoholism) is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with MDD was denied, and the Board has remanded the case to consider a TDIU claim. The decision also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a total social impairment due to her PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active-duty service and granted. The Veteran does not have a left knee disability, right knee disability, or arthritis. Service connection for anxiety and depression are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to March 8, 2021 is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A retrospective VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his symptoms during the relevant period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and GAD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The low back disorder claim remains pending.

The Board found that the appellant's misconduct was mitigated by his combat-related experiences and mental health symptoms, leading to a decision granting VA benefits despite his bad conduct discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder, recurrent and moderate, with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, as the evidence did not indicate that a prior claim was received before November 30, 2020.

The Veteran's MDD was initially rated at 70% effective March 15, 2022. The VA granted a TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria effective September 8, 2023. Attorney fees are eligible for the past-due benefits awarded in February 2024.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, and anxiety are related to his military service.