Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's rating for PTSD with major depression was restored to 70 percent effective February 1, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia disorder with unspecified depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, based on a favorable finding from the April 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's left knee condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis are related to his active duty service.,His psychiatric disorder is secondary to his now service-connected left knee condition.,His hypertension and sleep apnea are secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus from his left knee condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress, is granted based on a consistent in-service stressor related to his service in Vietnam. The VA examiner confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD and linked it to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activities.,COPD is granted as directly related to the Veteran's conceded herbicide exposure during service. A private medical opinion supports this finding, stating that COPD is at least as likely as not caused by his tobacco use.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and major depression, is granted. The claim for service connection for CFS is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for somatic symptom disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service. The effective date of this decision is January 18, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for essential tremors prior to October 5, 2021 was denied. The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating greater than 50 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress prior to October 5, 2021 was also denied.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for depression, bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma. The appeal is being remanded for further development regarding other claimed conditions, including those potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder and TDIU was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent initial rating, effective June 22, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent initial rating, effective June 22, 2022.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, a headache disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance, as her disabilities do not meet the criteria for such need.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the January 2021 VA opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to alcohol use disorder, finding that there was not enough evidence linking a service-connected disability to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression with insomnia, is now rated at the highest possible evaluation (100 percent), effective from the date of her claim in September 2012. The issue of Individual Unemployability was dismissed due to the award of SMC.

The appeal is dismissed as the proposed severance of service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder has not been finalized, and there are no actual issues regarding service connection that have been decided.