Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for flat foot (pes planus) with plantar fasciitis, plantar fascial fibromatosis, and degenerative arthritis based on the evidence showing a relationship to military service.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected low back disorder, as the evidence demonstrated that regular flare-ups of the back disorder resulted in functional equivalent ankylosis.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and stenosis, and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure that VA's duty to assist is properly followed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee strain, finding that there was no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or a relationship to service.

The Board granted service connection for a right great toe disability, diagnosed as hallux valgus and osteoarthritis. The right knee disorder claim was remanded.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the lower right leg strain prior to February 7, 2022, and denied a higher rating. The claims for increased ratings were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, unexplained aching bones and joints, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip osteoarthritis, left foot trace edema, right foot trace edema, left hand degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, large submandibular growth on left side of neck, pyoderma gangrenosum of bilateral lower extremities, and bladder cancer.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable rating of various foot conditions and service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection claims.

The appeal as to the proposed reduction of the rating for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, mild disc bulge with moderate central disc protrusion L5-S1 is dismissed due to procedural issues. The claim for a higher rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to untimely notice of disagreement for both the reduction in rating and service connection claims.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and headaches, effective April 5, 2021, but denied earlier effective dates for his right hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis with adhesive capsulitis based on evidence showing the condition began during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, multi-joint arthritis, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective May 23, 2017.

The motion to revise or reverse on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was dismissed without prejudice to refiling.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee degenerative joint diseases were granted increased ratings to 40 percent. Service connection for the knee conditions was also granted as secondary to his back and leg disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tear, cervical strain, and low back disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's history of diving in service.