Depression, what is it?

Have you ever been curious about if the VA considers depression as a disability? Well, the answer is yes, they do and Veterans get VA benefits for their depression. While the VA does rate mental health conditions differently then they rate physical conditions, not all mental health conditions are able to be service-connected just like not all physical conditions can be service-connected. Veterans who have depression and can prove that their depression is because of their military service can get their depression service-connected.

When a service member leaves the service and heads back into civilian life it can be difficult for them to feel “normal.” Veterans often suffer with mental health conditions. One of the most prevalent mental health conditions among Veterans is major depressive disorder (MDD), which is also commonly known as depression. Per the VA, it is estimated that about 33% or 1 in 3 Veterans have some symptoms of depression: 20% or 1 in 5 Veterans have serious symptoms and 12.5% or 1 in 8 have major depressive disorder that require treatment with psychotherapy and/or antidepressants.

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Depression, what is it?

The American Psychiatric Association defines major depressive disorder (MDD) also known as depression as a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think, act, and perceive the world.

Depression can cause a broad range of issues in a Veteran. The symptoms of depression can differ drastically among Veterans and can change for the Veteran overtime: nevertheless, some of the most common symptoms of depression can include the following:

• Continuously feeling of sadness, tearfulness, worthlessness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Lack of motivation or interest in activities that usually bring joy or pleasure
• Fatigue, difficulty sleeping, whether it is sleeping too much or too little
• Trouble concentrating, slowed thinking, tiredness, speaking or body movements slowed, and lack of energy
• Change in appetite, increased or reduced appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain
• Irritability, anger outbursts, anxiety, frustration, restlessness, and agitation

What does a Veteran need to get their depression service-connected?

When a Veteran files a claim with the VA for depression there are three things that the Veteran needs to have to get service-connected.

• A current depression diagnosis. It is extremely important for the Veteran to have a current diagnosis to be able to qualify for VA disability benefits. The diagnosis has to be from a qualified medical professional.
• Evidence of an in-service incident or injury that caused the depression. It is helpful, but not required, if the Veteran was treated while on active-duty or right after leaving active-duty. Buddy letters from other service members, family, and/or friends can also be used as evidence.
• A medical nexus linking the current depression diagnosis to the in-service incident or injury. A letter from your treating doctor stating how the Veteran’s current depression is caused by the in-service incident or injury.

When a Veteran is ready to actually file their claim with the VA for depression, they need to make sure they have all their paperwork lined up ready to go.

1. Get all of your evidence together. The VA will not just take a Veteran at their word when they file for disability benefits. The Veteran must provide evidence that can help the VA service-connect the depression. That means that the Veteran will need to gather the medical evidence and buddy letters supporting their claim.
2. Fill out the proper form. Make sure that you completely fill out the form. It is very important that provide the VA with all the documents and evidence that they request.
3. Properly submit the VA application. You want to make sure that you send your VA application to the correct place. You can officially submit/file your VA claim via mail, online, or in person.
4. You always want to continue to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. You should always follow your treating doctor’s treatment plan. If for some reason the VA denies your depression claim the continued treatment can be used as evidence in the appeal process.

What is a secondary service-connection?

If depression is not the Veterans main disability or injury, but the depression is caused by a service-connected injury or disease the depression is considered to be secondary to the main service-connected disability. Even with depression being secondary to a physical service-connected disability a Veteran can get the depression service-connected, which can get the Veteran a higher overall rating.

Examples:

• If a Veteran is service-connected for a back condition and that service-connected back condition is causing major pain, discomfort, and keeping the Veteran from experiencing regular activities, that can cause depression. That depression is secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected back condition.
• If a Veteran is service-connected for one of the Gulf War illnesses and that service-connected illness has caused the Veteran to become depressed. That depression can be service-connected as secondary to the service-connected illness.

When it comes to secondary service-connected conditions there must be medical documentation showing a connection between the primary service-connected condition and the secondary depression. So, to get the depression service-connected as secondary to an already service-connected injury or disease the Veteran has to show the following information:

• A current diagnosis of depression
• Medical evidence showing the relationship between their service-connected disability and their depression

It is important to know that secondary service-connection can also pertain to situations where the Veteran’s depression causes another condition. Secondary service-connection works both ways.

Example:

• The medication the Veteran is taking for their depression causes significant weight gain. That weight gain can then cause orthopedic issues. That orthopedic condition can be service-connected as secondary to the depression.

What are the ratings for depression?

The VA uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to rate all mental health conditions. Once the VA has service-connected the Veteran’s depression, the VA will use the General Rating Formula for Mental Health Conditions.

Can a Veteran get separate ratings for different mental health conditions like PTSD or anxiety and depression?

It is extremely unlikely that the VA will rate a Veteran for more than one mental health condition. For an example, if the Veteran is already service-connected and rated for PTSD or anxiety, but then gets a diagnosis for depression, since the symptoms over lap and can be the same, the Veteran would not be rated separately for the PTSD or anxiety and depression.

The main reason why it is extremely unlikely to get separate ratings for multiple mental health conditions is because of the Pyramiding Rule.

• The evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided. Disability from injuries to the muscles, nerves, and joints of an extremity may overlap to a great extent, so that special rules are included in the appropriate bodily system for their evaluation. Dyspnea, tachycardia, nervousness, fatigability, etc., may result from many causes; some may be service connected, others, not. Both the use of manifestations not resulting from service-connected disease or injury in establishing the service-connected evaluation, and the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses are to be avoided.

What to expect in a depression C&P Exam?

When a Veteran files a claim with the VA for depression the VA will usually schedule a C&P exam at a VA Medical Center or with a private facility. A C&P exam for depression usually consists of a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist sitting down with the Veteran and discussing the symptoms that the Veteran is experiencing. The licensed psychologist or psychiatrist will collect their findings from the review of the Veteran’s records and the exam and submit that to the VA.

Can a Veteran get 100% for depression?

When a Veteran’s depression symptoms are so severe that they are causing the Veteran not to be able to get and maintain substantially gainful employment, the Veteran might qualify for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits.

If a Veteran is granted TDIU the VA will compensate the Veteran at the 100% level even with their overall rating being less than 100%.

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is dealing with depression and you believe it is service related, filing a depression claim with the VA can get you closer to receiving the benefits that you have earned.

If you have received a denial within the past 12 months reach out to see if we are able to assist you with an appeal. If it has been longer then 12 months since the date of the denial, hope is not lost, you will just need to submit a new claim and start the process over.