{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/major-depressive-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:11.235Z","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":"Major depressive disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":23331,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":35.3,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":34.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":56.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":1978,"granted_pct":22.4,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":36.7},{"year":2018,"issues":3721,"granted_pct":29.3,"denied_pct":27.9,"remanded_pct":37},{"year":2019,"issues":3257,"granted_pct":34.4,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":36},{"year":2020,"issues":2450,"granted_pct":34.9,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":35.1},{"year":2021,"issues":2012,"granted_pct":35.6,"denied_pct":26.2,"remanded_pct":34.1},{"year":2022,"issues":2004,"granted_pct":35.8,"denied_pct":22.1,"remanded_pct":38.1},{"year":2023,"issues":2350,"granted_pct":35.4,"denied_pct":22.2,"remanded_pct":38.4},{"year":2024,"issues":2631,"granted_pct":39.3,"denied_pct":26.5,"remanded_pct":31.3},{"year":2025,"issues":2630,"granted_pct":40.6,"denied_pct":30.7,"remanded_pct":25.5},{"year":2026,"issues":955,"granted_pct":44.5,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":23.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":4012,"granted_pct_with":79.3,"granted_pct_without":49.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":16977,"granted_pct_with":53.9,"granted_pct_without":67.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":5924,"granted_pct_with":85.8,"granted_pct_without":42},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":10621,"granted_pct_with":54.7,"granted_pct_without":58.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":9169,"granted_pct_with":67.6,"granted_pct_without":47.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":2048,"granted_pct_with":67.2,"granted_pct_without":55.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":19261,"granted_pct_with":55.8,"granted_pct_without":62.2},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":769,"granted_pct_with":73.7,"granted_pct_without":55.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":1303,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":55.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":868},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":538},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":183},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":171},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas","decisions":82},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":70}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":686},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":430},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":364},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":334},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":331},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":155}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040460","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL LANE","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise regarding total occupational and social impairment; Persistent hallucinations noted in VA treatment records and examinations; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040623","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN V. ADLER","rationale":"Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder.; Service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.; Private medical opinion found it more likely than not that the psychiatric disorder is related to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus."},{"case_id":"A26040629","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"Current disability established by RO's favorable finding based on June 2021 private exam.; In-service event established by June 2021 private examiner's opinion that MDD began during active duty.; Nexus to service established by June 2021 private examiner's opinion linking MDD to active duty and chro… [truncated, 28 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040686","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"Symptoms contemplated within existing unspecified anxiety disorder rating; No indication of separate psychiatric disability not already compensated; Depressive disorder diagnosis not separately adjudicated"},{"case_id":"A26040479","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"No competent evidence of current mental health diagnosis; VA examiner found no DSM-5 diagnosis; Veteran reported only mild, transient anxiety symptoms; No current treatment for mental health conditions"},{"case_id":"A26040703","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for mental health complaints/diagnoses during service.; Separation psychiatric evaluation normal; Veteran denied mental health history.; Symptoms of depression and anxiety began post-service.; C&P examiner opined conditions less likely than not due to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}