Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 26, 2019 for service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, but remanded the claim for service connection for constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain syndrome.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent from July 19, 2013 to December 6, 2021 and a total disability rating of 100 percent from December 7, 2021. The degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The right knee osteoarthritis issue was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, degenerative arthritis and disc disease with spondylosis, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left knee instability and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the claim for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left knee disability to ensure that all relevant treatment records are obtained and an adequate examination with an etiological opinion is provided.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, spinal stenosis, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy to obtain a more adequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for a dermatological disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression from July 5, 2022.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and polysubstance use and chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating, while other claims for increased ratings are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, and chondrocalcinosis of the right knee and hypertension. The claims for TBI, chronic upset stomach, and prostate cancer were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left rotator cuff tendonitis and in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2024, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for left knee osteoarthritis due to a need for additional medical evidence.

The Board granted an effective date of April 24, 2014, for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating of 40 percent from April 24, 2014 to August 13, 2020 for the back disability, and a separate rating for bowel incontinence associated with the back disability.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, as the criteria for entitlement to service connection have been met.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor and remanded the claims for service connection, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left hip strain with osteoarthritis, right hip strain with osteoarthritis, left knee strain with knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee strain with knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for the low back condition, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board granted service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for traumatic brain injury was denied.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of foot due to service-connected right knee disability for a medical opinion.