Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain service treatment records and personnel records regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Indirect Training and Related Activities (INACDUTRA). The claim for PTSD remains denied, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the failure to obtain pertinent medical evidence from the Vet Center.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for depression, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's dementia, depression, and sleep disturbances are granted a separate 100 percent disability rating as secondary to service-connected parkinsonism. Other disabilities related to parkinsonism receive specific ratings.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied because no effective date prior to January 16, 2024, is warranted as there was neither an intent nor factual basis for such a claim before that date.

The Veteran's death was caused by bilateral bacterial pneumonia, dysphagia, and Alzheimer's dementia. The VA examiner concluded that the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. However, an additional medical opinion is required regarding whether hypertension, CAD, and/or other service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, now claimed as depression and anxiety, has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective July 24, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to concurrent elections, and his request for higher-level review was pending when he filed an appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a 100% disability rating for the period from August 25, 2022 to November 17, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 10, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with major depressive disorder and dementia disorder results in the effective loss of use of both hands and both feet, meeting the criteria for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's MDD is related to service, including documented in-service treatment for mental health issues.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder have been granted a 70% rating from April 7, 2022. Service connection for asthma has been granted with an effective date of May 6, 2022. The earlier effective dates for TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person effective February 26, 2025.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist, including a lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered with additional evidence and clarification on stressor verification.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and/or insomnia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and fatty liver disease were denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, but the reduction is void ab initio, and the petition to restore the prior 100% rating is granted. Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate remains in effect.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the January 2021 proposed rating reduction did not constitute an adjudicative determination from which a notice of disagreement could be filed, and the Veteran later withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected myasthenia gravis is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also finds that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.