Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to the VA not having obtained his private treatment records from M.F. Hospital, which may contain information about his psychiatric condition prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was filed within one year of the ITF and a correct form was submitted, resulting in an effective date of June 2, 2025.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, panic disorder, subclinical PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, finding that there was no medical nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder associated with lumbar disc disease was granted on March 24, 2021. The Board found that the effective date should be set to this date as there is no legal link between the previous claim and the new claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected residuals of TBI, combined with coexisting psychiatric conditions like PTSD and anxiety disorders, has been determined. The Board finds that the Veteran would require hospitalization or other institutional care in the absence of his wife’s aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a medical nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in permanent housebound status, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation at the permanently housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence supported a 70 percent evaluation for his psychiatric disability, but not a higher one. He is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective August 8, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the November 2020 rating decision. The psychiatric claim, HIV and psoriasis secondary claims, and TDIU issue are all related and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the hearing being cancelled and a need for additional clarification of his mental health condition. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, effective September 26, 2012. He also received a TDIU and DEA benefits based on his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has not been manifested by disfigurement of the head, face, or neck; nor painful or unstable scar. It has affected less than five percent of exposed skin and required no systemic therapy.,Service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 70% evaluation of PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that entitlement to this rating did not arise prior to October 3, 2024.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including Major Neurocognitive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, are granted as service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected OSA.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional information regarding his employment and educational history, as well as his yearly income from 2023 to the present.