{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/depression","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:04.512Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Depression","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":658,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":20.2,"remanded_pct":58.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":30,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":6.7,"remanded_pct":73.3},{"year":2018,"issues":84,"granted_pct":4.8,"denied_pct":9.5,"remanded_pct":69},{"year":2019,"issues":97,"granted_pct":6.2,"denied_pct":20.6,"remanded_pct":55.7},{"year":2020,"issues":73,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":23.3,"remanded_pct":56.2},{"year":2021,"issues":71,"granted_pct":15.5,"denied_pct":29.6,"remanded_pct":43.7},{"year":2022,"issues":37,"granted_pct":5.4,"denied_pct":16.2,"remanded_pct":67.6},{"year":2023,"issues":72,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":16.7,"remanded_pct":58.3},{"year":2024,"issues":91,"granted_pct":9.9,"denied_pct":20.9,"remanded_pct":54.9},{"year":2025,"issues":76,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":31.6,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2026,"issues":37,"granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":13.5,"remanded_pct":62.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":93,"granted_pct_with":48,"granted_pct_without":26.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":475,"granted_pct_with":28.3,"granted_pct_without":36.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":140,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":24.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":302,"granted_pct_with":30.4,"granted_pct_without":29.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":224,"granted_pct_with":44.6,"granted_pct_without":20},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":51,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":27.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":547,"granted_pct_with":28,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":40,"granted_pct_with":16.7,"granted_pct_without":30.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":2},{"reason":"symptoms consistent with 70% rating criteria","decisions":2},{"reason":"suicidal ideation present","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":5},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":5},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":5},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":4},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":4},{"reason":"symptoms did not meet criteria for 70% rating","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26028718","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"AOJ relied on finding of improvement for 50% rating.; Veteran's statements of no improvement are credible and supported by private exam.; Private exam found sustained severe impairment."},{"case_id":"A26017896","year":2026,"judge":"YVETTE R. WHITE","rationale":"VA examination found occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.; Private treatment records noted severe depression with mood disturbances.; Board found symptoms approximated 70 percent rating criteria."},{"case_id":"A25111390","year":2025,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Symptoms consistent with 70% rating criteria; Passive suicidal ideation present; Occupational and social impairment"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26030332","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"No credible evidence of current acquired psychiatric disorder; No credible evidence of in-service event or injury; No competent evidence of causative link to service; Personality disorder not service-connectable"},{"case_id":"A26027246","year":2026,"judge":"JENNA BRANT","rationale":"No in-service complaints, diagnosis, or treatment for psychiatric disability.; Absence of psychiatric symptoms for several years after service.; No continuity of psychiatric symptomatology since service.; No current diagnosis of PTSD.; Failure to provide details for claimed PTSD stressor."},{"case_id":"A26004939","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID A. BRENNINGMEYER","rationale":"Chronic depressive personality disorder not a compensable condition; No in-service event related to depression; No evidence of nexus between depression and service"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}