In some cases, a diagnosis of depression will qualify you for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA rates depression at various levels, and the severity of your condition will influence your eligibility for benefits.
A depression Veterans Disability lawyer can review your situation and help you determine if you qualify for benefits. An attorney can also help you apply for Veterans Benefits or assist you after a benefits denial.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Does Depression Qualify You for VA Disability Benefits?
Depression can qualify you to receive Veterans Disability benefits if the condition impacts your life and connects directly to your military service. Depression is a disability, and those who experience this condition deserve benefits.
Not everyone with depression who qualifies for VA benefits will receive the same amount. The VA will rate the extent of your disability if you apply for benefits. These ratings go from 0% for individuals who have a depression diagnosis that does not result in functional impairment to 100% for those with depression so severe that it results in total impairment.
An attorney can explain the VA’s ranking system and help you determine if you qualify for benefits for depression.
Does Depression Qualify You for 100% Benefits?
In some cases, yes, a depression diagnosis may qualify you to receive Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits. You can get 100% of the maximum benefits available in your situation if you qualify for TDIU benefits.
An attorney can give you more information about TDIU benefits and how they may apply in your situation.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
How Do You Qualify for VA Benefits for Depression?
To get VA Disability benefits for depression, your attorney will need to establish that:
- You have a current depression diagnosis
- You experienced an event while serving in the military
- The event during your service links directly to your diagnosed condition
A Veterans Affairs Disability benefits claims lawyer can give you more information about establishing your qualifications.
What Depression Symptoms Does the VA Look for?
The VA looks for many different symptoms when determining if a veteran has depression. Some common signs of this condition include:
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
- Unusual frustration, irritability, or anger
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Lack of energy and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness, agitation, and anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
The VA can assess these symptoms through a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. It’s very difficult to predict the rating the VA will decide to use before an exam due to the variability in these exams and the different symptoms associated with depression.
Can You Easily Get VA Disability Benefits With Depression?
The VA can make it challenging for veterans to get the benefits they need, even with a depression diagnosis. In many cases, it’s more difficult to get benefits for conditions that impact your mental health because medical professionals do not have objective tests to measure the severity of these conditions.
Hiring an attorney to help with the application can improve your chances of getting the benefits that you need. An attorney can explain each step you need to take and review your application before you submit it to ensure that it contains all relevant information.
An attorney can also answer any other questions you have about depression qualifying you for VA disability benefits.
Does Depression Qualify You for Other Benefits?
In some cases, a diagnosis of depression may qualify you to receive additional benefits. For example, you may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) in some cases.
Generally, you can only qualify for this extra form of compensation if you have a condition with a 100% rating and if you are permanently housebound, OR if you have another condition (or group of conditions) rated over 60%.
You can learn more about current Special Monthly Compensation rates from your attorney.
What if the VA Denies Your Request for Benefits?
The VA may deny your initial application for benefits if you have depression. In this situation, you can get help appealing the decision from an attorney. A lawyer can explain the steps you need to take to dispute the VA’s initial decision, potentially getting them to change their mind and provide the benefits that you need.
Talk to Us About Getting VA Disability Benefits for Depression
So, does depression qualify you for VA disability benefits? A depression diagnosis may qualify you to receive Veterans Disability benefits in some cases. The severity of your condition and whether or not a lawyer can connect it to an in-service event play a large role in determining whether or not you’ll qualify for benefits.
Our team at Marc Whitehead & Associates can review your situation and give you more information about potentially getting benefits for depression. Our team understands the steps you need to take to get the benefits you deserve.
We have over 120 years of experience, and we’re ready to provide the help you need, so reach out now.