Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted. The claim for IVDS is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The appeal of the proposed reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent for service-connected allergic rhinitis is dismissed. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee bursitis, patella dislocation and degenerative arthritis (previously rated as right knee strain) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and a need for additional evidence. The cervical spine claim is being reconsidered under the AMA framework.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings have been granted, with effective dates of April 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 14, 2014 is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection for depressive disorder with anxious distress, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. The matter will be reconsidered after these claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection or other benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), finding that there was not sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions from a different examiner.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability rating for migraines is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for migraines is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical spine and right knee are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right foot is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied, with the exception of a partial grant of a 40 percent rating effective April 4, 2017. The case is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and cervical radiculopathy, was not incurred in or caused by service.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy were also not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and failure to consider certain evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with DDD L4-5, L5-S1 was granted a disability rating of 10 percent effective July 17, 2017. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 20, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's assertions about in-service injuries were not supported by STRs or other medical records.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various shoulder, wrist, ankle, and spine disorders. The claim for a headache disorder was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Secondary service connection was granted for migraine headaches related to PTSD. Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation (100 percent) for surgery related to his service-connected left foot disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision and remands the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records, verifying service type, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is related to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as he withdrew his appeal prior to issuance of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine injury, back disorder and OSA. The Veteran's loss of use of both feet due to his ankle disorders is also granted, with a combined rating of 80 percent.