You might want to check out some of the VA forums (hadit.com is one), or even talk to a Veteran Service Officer (Disabled Vets, VFW, etc.).
Depression is a condition that can be service related which could qualify you for VA benefits - medical care, compensation payments, etc.
A service connected condition is something that started in the service or was caused by the service (or worsened because of the service).
So if you were not depressed when you went into the service - and are now - it could be a service connected disability.
Or if you were depressed when you went in - and it is noted on your intake that you were depressed - then if the military caused the condition to worsen - it can be a SC condition.
If there is nothing on your entrance records or exam about depression - the you are "presumed sound" when you enter the service. (They have to show substantial evidence that you were not.)
Depending on the severity - conditions can be rated anywhere from 10% disabling to 100 disabling.
A personality disorder is considered a "congentital defect." Nothing "caused" it. They don't give VA benefits for personality disorders. And often - if the vet had the PD label - even if there are other mental conditions that COULD be service connected - it is a long hard battle to get them because of the persoanlity disorder diagnosis.
The military likes to give Personality Disorder as the reason for discharge - because then the vet can't come back and get VA benefits.
There are lots of vets in the VA forums fighting that very thing. They never had a personality disorder. They accepted the label to get out. They later try to get benefits and the PD discharge is stuck to them like glue.
IF you think your depression will improve when you get out and never bother you again - that is one thing. But depression can be hard to treat and "cure" sometimes.
IF you accept the PD discharge and then get out and do have more trouble with depression, and it gets worse, and / or you have trouble getting or holding a job because of your depression - and you go back and try to get your depression service connected by the VA - it will be a long, hard battle that will be difficult to win.
So you might want to check out some of the veteran advocate groups BEFORE you are discharged and talk to a VSO (veteran service officer) and get some tips from those who have been down that road.
Also make sure that you get treatment for ANYTHING that occurs in the service - including the depression and that it is noted in your SMRs (service medical records) appropriately. And get copies of your SMRs.
And if you have trouble once you are discharged - get treatment and keep copies of all records.
Again, you may want to take the PD discharge. That might be your best option. But the more informed you are about the affects that may have - the better for you making the decision. There are many vets that have been discharged with that "diagnosis" (that wasn't really actually diagnosed) that have come to regret it. And I'm sure there are just as many who have not regretted it. It depends on the situation.
Personally, I think if a vet has been diagnosed with depression and the military wants to stick them with a bogus diagnosis for discharge that prevents them from getting benefits - they are doing a real disservice.
Of course, if you want to pursue the depression for a medical discharge - that is a whole other issue. I am not very familiar with medical discharges - but I hear there is just as much politics involved in those.
I am somewhat familiar with the politics of the VA - and I know PD discharges are something people often regret...depending on the situation.
Some people who have been down the road of both medical discharges and PD discharges can probably give you some good advice based on the stuff they didn't know then that they know now.
So you might want to check out some vet forums.
Much luck to you,
Free
I have been diagnosed with depression...no SI or HI, I have not been given any meds or anything. Just a simple "we dont think your cut out for the military".
