Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these cases.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 USC § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of an adequate rationale for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was reduced from a 40 percent rating to a 20 percent rating, effective October 19, 2021. The reduction is granted as the evidence showed actual improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent since June 30, 2021. The claim for increased rating is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, other than psoriatic arthritis of the feet, due to a duty to assist error in the AOJ decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS. The right and left hip disabilities are remanded for a VA opinion to determine if they are caused or aggravated by the now service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent.,For his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the rating remains at 10 percent as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Right hip strain limitation of flexion continues to be rated at 10 percent.,Left hip strain limitation of flexion also remains at 10 percent.,Right hip limitation of extension, right hip impairment of thigh, and left hip limitation of extension are all rated at 0 percent as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Left hip impairment of thigh is also rated at 0 percent for the same reason.

The Veteran's rating for right hip degenerative arthritis was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent, effective October 1, 2022. The reduction is not proper and the original 40 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral glaucoma and service connection for other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of August 7, 1973 for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's reduced ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been reinstated.,The Veteran's reduced ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been reinstated.,The Veteran's reduced ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been reinstated.,The Veteran's reduced ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been reinstated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma with sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to perform daily activities without regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lumbar radiculopathy, as well as his right shoulder disability, are being remanded due to the need for further consideration of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and for an adequate medical opinion on the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. His adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression has been granted a 70% rating since October 15, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he should be granted service connection for headaches as secondary to his cervical strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with bone spur, left knee degenerative arthritis with bone spur and meniscal tear, and hypertension are all granted as service-connected.