The Board denied entitlement to an earlier effective date, a higher rating for major depressive disorder, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left thumb condition. The claims for service connection were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims for increased ratings or service connection, and some issues were remanded for further development.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, panic disorder, left thumb condition (status post fracture), hallux valgus, right foot, vascular headaches, degenerative arthritis, right knee, degenerative arthritis, left knee, glaucoma (secondary to diabetes mellitus type II), diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2024
- Citation
- 24004645
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for panic disorder, OSA, and hypertension as secondary to a service-connected condition. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied.
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