The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities and denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine prior to February 3, 2020. However, it granted a 30% rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine beginning on that date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current ankle and knee pain were related to in-service injuries or events, nor was there sufficient evidence to warrant an increased rating for his cervical spine disability prior to February 3, 2020. However, beginning on that date, the evidence supported a 30% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle disability, Right ankle disability, Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Left knee disability, Right knee disability, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Unspecified anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2024
- Citation
- 24003605
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, and a left eye disorder. However, it granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the back disability.
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