Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD effective from May 24, 2023, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the Veteran's disabilities and ancillary compensation benefits, finding that August 8, 2023, was correctly assigned as the effective date.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, back disorder (including lumbago and lumbosacral spondylosis), sciatica in the right lower extremity, and sciatica in the left lower extremity.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, knee joint osteoarthritis, extension.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as an increased disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 8, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and spinal stenosis due to an insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's flare-ups during the appeal period.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeals for initial evaluations and increased ratings for various left knee conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral foot stress fractures with pes planus and degenerative arthritis, initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot hallux valgus, left knee meniscal tear status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis, left knee limitation of extension, left knee instability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted earlier effective dates from February 3, 2022, for the award of service connection and ratings for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, degenerative arthritis of the right index finger, and a 10 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and a kidney condition, to include kidney cancer. The remaining conditions were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for vertigo secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) for additional development.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for major depression, asthma, degenerative arthritis, status post surgery, and bilateral gynecomastia.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure compliance with its duty to assist, specifically regarding the adequacy of VA examinations and obtaining a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum, but remanded claims for increased ratings for migraines and lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus, melanoma to the left lower eye lid, and skin cancer on the back was dismissed. The appeal for asthma was granted in part, as a Higher-Level Review (HLR) request was timely filed. Other appeals were denied.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no evidence of a current disability during the period on appeal. The claims for sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, and schizoaffective disorder were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar enthesopathy DDD, IVDS, and/or degenerative arthritis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder strains, as well as a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.