Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board found that the reduction in disability evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent for a back disability was improper and void ab initio, restoring the Veteran's original 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluation of osteoarthritis, both knees; service connection for right shoulder condition; and service connection for low back strain are remanded due to missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome were dismissed as the benefits sought have been granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a respiratory condition, peripheral arterial disease, stable angina, fevers (also claimed as Meningeal disease), and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as the benefits sought have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability as defined by regulation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left ankle disability, finding that it was aggravated by service despite a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, effective October 17, 2019. The Veteran was also awarded TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which warranted a discharge for disability at the time of separation from service, qualifies him for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was remanded multiple times, and the effective dates were ultimately granted as of March 13, 2008.,Initial disability ratings greater than 20 percent are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine due to additional development being necessary, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for intermittent stomach ulcers, are dismissed due to prior Board decisions.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted with a 70% rating, effective July 11, 2019.,His back disability is rated at 70%, and he also receives separate ratings for his right hip flail joint (80%).,Special monthly compensation (SMC) was granted from August 16, 2016, to July 21, 2020, and again from October 1, 2021, to August 10, 2022.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, effective March 1, 2021, finding that there was no sustained improvement in the severity of her condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a back disability due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination, and thus requires further medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities have been readjudicated, with the decision to grant new evidence resulting in a remand for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is granted service connection. However, his right and left ankle osteoarthritis claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptomatology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance to keep him ordinarily clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC A&A.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, along with a left foot sprain with sinus tarsi syndrome, are currently rated at the minimum compensable levels (10 percent each). The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.,Effective dates for service connection have also been denied for all three conditions.