Depression decisions — 2026

The Veteran's application for PCAFC was denied due to not meeting the eligibility criteria. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion considering his functional abilities and need for caregiver assistance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 50 percent since January 9, 2019. Prior to this date, a higher rating was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The issue at hand is whether the Veteran should receive an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder associated with lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder.,Service connection for sleep impairment (claimed as sleep apnea) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error related to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, are being examined by VA.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program was remanded due to errors in notification and lack of a clinical determination as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate. The AOJ must obtain medical opinions, provide proper notice, and address these issues before making a final decision.

The Board granted a TDIU from June 21, 2021, to April 8, 2022, but denied the claim for prior to that date due to the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective April 11, 2023, and SMC based on housebound status effective the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with secondary major depressive disorder. The decision also includes a finding that the Veteran's secondary diagnosis of major depressive disorder was caused by his primary diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with chronic pain disorder is rated at the highest possible level (100%) and he is granted special monthly compensation on a statutory housebound basis. The claim for aid and attendance/housebound was remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new medical opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder and anxiety, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine disorder with chronic back pain.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed due to a claims processing error. The claim for PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show a compensable level of impairment.,Tinnitus is already evaluated at its maximum schedular rating of ten percent and no higher rating is available under the applicable criteria.,The acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depressed mood) is rated at fifty percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are considered to be equivalent to the level required for a 50% rating.,Service connection for neck pain was denied due to lack of evidence showing that cervical arthritis began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending as the Board has remanded this issue.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are granted as they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's mental health disability (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder. The claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left shoulder tendinitis with history of recurrent dislocation are remanded due to the need for additional development.

For the entire increased rating period from January 30, 2020 to June 1, 2020, a disability rating of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder was granted.,During this period, the Veteran's symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.