Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left hand disability. The claims for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis and right hand degenerative arthritis were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for increased disability evaluations for left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with small patellar spur and knee joint osteoarthritis, and persistent instability, left knee.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for the residual surgical scar, status post total left knee replacement and increased ratings to 20 percent for complex regional pain syndrome in both lower extremities. Some issues were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal of service connection for right and left hip, right and left knee, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.

The Board granted disability ratings of 20 percent for left knee meniscal tear and instability, and a 10 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, but denied an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the conditions during flare-ups and after repetitive use, discounting the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis but granted an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, rash, ruptured right ear drum, lower back disc injury, and left knee osteoarthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right sciatic nerve, and left sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder disability, diagnosed as right acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis, based on the evidence showing an in-service injury and a nexus to current disability.

The appeal regarding the proposed changes in effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings were dismissed as they were not final decisions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spondylosis based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted an effective date of January 7, 2011, for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and February 13, 2012, for service connection for painful (tender) surgical scars of the lower back.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left, right knee, and right big toe due to insufficient evidence showing a disability level warranting higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion on the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board dismissed the claims for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation and service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right elbow disabilities due to a concurrent election issue.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis and a higher rate of special monthly compensation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.