Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and associated right leg length discrepancy due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the examination and lack of consideration of certain evidence, including private treatment records from Albany, Georgia.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no indication of an association between the claimed conditions and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of adequate examination regarding the severity of symptoms during flare-ups.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bilateral wrist, hand, knee, and cervical spine disabilities. The VA is required to provide a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and retrolisthesis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified anxiety disorder, concluding that there was no causal relationship between his current mental health condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the January 2021 decision on appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain and related conditions, requires further clarification from an appropriate medical professional.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, cervical spine arthritis, and right hip arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of exposure to herbicides in Korea and equipment handling in Vietnam, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records from her primary care provider and chiropractor.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 21, 2020 for the service connection of various conditions including left quad tendon tear, major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, surgical scar, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine status post C5-C7 ACDF with residual IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and residual neck scar. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's timely filed claims within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 3, 2017. He was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.