VA Claim for Depression

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal government organization that oversees compensation for U.S. war veterans suffering from disabilities. Depression is one of the disabilities for which the VA offers compensation.

Eligibility

• Your depression must be "because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service" in order to qualify for VA disability compensation. You will not qualify if your discharge was under less than honorable conditions.

Application

• To place a VA disability claim for depression, fill out a VA Form 21-256. Alternatively, place the claim online at vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

Tips

• The more complete your claim for VA disability compensation for depression is, the faster it processes. Include your discharge papers, marriage certificate (if applicable), birth certificates for dependants (if applicable) and all medical records of your depression, if possible.