Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records.

The appeal for service connection for frostbite in the left hand or fingers and right hip degenerative arthritis with trochanteric bursitis was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and 30 percent for chronic dorsal disc bulging in C5-C6 and C6-C7, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as her need for assistance is not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he met the criteria prior to the specified dates.

The Board granted service connection for right knee and right hip degenerative arthritis, as well as secondary service connection for headaches due to a service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis with instability, left knee tendinitis with painful flexion, and limitation of extension, left knee.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the disabilities were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for the right shoulder condition, effective August 8, 2024, and remanded the sleep apnea claim.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle post traumatic arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, but denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's painful scars of the bilateral wrists and thumb and deep nonlinear scars of the upper extremities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The appeal was also granted to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, radiculopathy of the RUE, LUE, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, LLE, and RLE.

The Board granted service connection for esophageal cancer residuals and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis with shin splints, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension. The Board also remanded claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and residuals of tuberculosis exposure.

The Board granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected shin splints, left lower extremity, with knee impairment.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining an appropriate medical examination and associated opinion.

The Board denied service connection for chronic osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.