Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in regular activities, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration.
Veterans Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent and disabling form of depression. In addition to the immediate symptoms of depression, MDD results in poor quality of life overall, decreased productivity, and can increase mortality from suicide. Social difficulties including stigma, loss of employment, and marital conflict as a result of depression can also occur. Anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance misuse are common co-occurring conditions that may worsen the existing depression and complicate treatment. Depression is considered to be a largely biological illness but can result from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger depression, but depression can also occur without an obvious trigger.
Military personnel are prone to depression, at least partially as a result of exposure to traumatic experiences, including witnessing combat, and separation from family during deployment or military trainings.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the portion of the rating schedule dealing with mental disorders, including revising the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders and combining currently separate General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders with the General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or rating schedule).
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