{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/depressive-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:55.253Z","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":"Depressive disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3367,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":52.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":45.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":97,"granted_pct":7.2,"denied_pct":17.5,"remanded_pct":63.9},{"year":2018,"issues":220,"granted_pct":16.8,"denied_pct":17.7,"remanded_pct":60.5},{"year":2019,"issues":404,"granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":18.6,"remanded_pct":55.2},{"year":2020,"issues":488,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":27.7,"remanded_pct":53.7},{"year":2021,"issues":375,"granted_pct":21.6,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":50.9},{"year":2022,"issues":388,"granted_pct":14.2,"denied_pct":21.6,"remanded_pct":60.3},{"year":2023,"issues":421,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":21.9,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2024,"issues":422,"granted_pct":23.7,"denied_pct":26.1,"remanded_pct":46.9},{"year":2025,"issues":518,"granted_pct":25.5,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":40.3},{"year":2026,"issues":137,"granted_pct":29.2,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":38}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":408,"granted_pct_with":70.2,"granted_pct_without":39.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2425,"granted_pct_with":43,"granted_pct_without":54.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":593,"granted_pct_with":76.5,"granted_pct_without":35.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1440,"granted_pct_with":45.1,"granted_pct_without":45.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1156,"granted_pct_with":53.1,"granted_pct_without":39.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":218,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":44.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2741,"granted_pct_with":43.2,"granted_pct_without":57.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":91,"granted_pct_with":59.4,"granted_pct_without":44.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":175,"granted_pct_with":62,"granted_pct_without":44.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":67},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":64},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":20},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":20},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":18},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas","decisions":6}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":74},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":37},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":28},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":24},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":18}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040748","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Credible and corroborated MST report; MST occurred in line of duty during inactive duty for training; Etiologically related to PTSD and depression"},{"case_id":"A26040903","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Reduction in rating from 100% to 30% was improper.; VA failed to demonstrate sustained improvement.; VA failed to address ability to function under ordinary conditions.; Rating reduction void ab initio."},{"case_id":"A26039237","year":2026,"judge":"A. JAEGER","rationale":"Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran; Symptomatology consistent with 70 percent rating criteria; Deficiencies in most areas of occupational and social impairment"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039288","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for mental health treatment.; VA examiner noted mild or transient symptoms, decreasing work efficiency only during significant stress.; Veteran reported significant mental health impacts but also full-time employment.; Board found veteran's statements regarding sym… [truncated, 243 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26038755","year":2026,"judge":"R. CASADEI","rationale":"Retains some social functioning and cognitive abilities; Does not meet criteria for total occupational impairment; Symptoms inconsistent with gross impairment or total isolation"},{"case_id":"A26036678","year":2026,"judge":"K. CONNER","rationale":"Veteran's sustained employment at USPS weighs against total impairment.; Private opinion lacked rationale and review of relevant evidence.; Veteran's social functioning, including relationships and activities, weighs against total impairment."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}