The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylolisthesis and bilateral ankle dermatitis, restored the ratings for left knee limitation of extension, left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), and right ankle DJD, and denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a right 5th finger scar, increased ratings for left knee flexion and extension, and rhinitis.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life had not improved during the period at issue, thus the reduction in disability evaluations was improper. For service connection, the evidence established a link between the back condition and the service-connected lower extremity musculoskeletal conditions.

Claimed conditions

left knee limitation of extension, left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), right ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), lumbar spondylolisthesis, bilateral ankle dermatitis, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), right 5th finger scar, left knee limitation of flexion, rhinitis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

30%

Decision date

March 10, 2025

Citation

A25021781

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine