Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that his current diagnoses are related to events he experienced during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, on a direct basis due to the Veteran's credible accounts of in-service symptoms and ongoing symptoms since service.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for depression is dismissed.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for flatfoot (pes planus) is dismissed.,An effective date prior to July 31, 2024, for the award of service connection for dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a headache disability.,Service connection for major depressive disorder on a direct basis was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on military sexual assault was granted with a 70% evaluation effective February 27, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran continuously pursued his claim since December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100% disabling, and he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to his service-connected condition. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the lack of consideration of VA treatment records from August 2011. The Veteran's condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids has been granted.,Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress.,Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis.,Service connection is established for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches.,Service connection is established for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was characterized by agitation, distressing and intrusive thoughts and dreams, depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, and obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities. Despite these symptoms, the Veteran had good relations with her family, including husband, children and siblings; engaged in hobbies and activities with her husband; and was actively engaged in activities with her community, ministry and tutoring. The Board found that a disability rating higher than 50 percent is not warranted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 22, 2018. The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2018 for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and sciatic radiculopathy have been remanded by the Board due to procedural issues. The initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective November 4, 2021. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating from June 8, 2019. Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his PTSD, depression, or any other single service-connected disability. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, a neck disability, and COPD due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for groin disability as there is no persuasive medical or lay evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, are found to be related to his service. His alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder are also found to be secondary to these conditions. The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor. Bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are also denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective April 15, 2014. He also received a TDIU and SMC based on his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disability, dry skin, and unspecified depressive disorder based on secondary causation by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The effective date is not specified.