Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle strain, as well as left and right knee instability with degenerative arthritis, on the basis of the bilateral factor.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the periods from October 20, 2023 to November 13, 2024 and from January 1, 2025 to January 13, 2025. Service connection was granted for right hand degenerative arthritis, but an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted some separate evaluations, while remanding others.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, restless leg syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified mood disorder and alcohol use disorder. The claims for chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and lumbosacral strain were remanded.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and initial rating, dismissing both issues.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, right knee, left knee, right toe, and hair loss. The claims for a cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right toe hallux valgus were denied.

The Board remands the claim for a further VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder(s) and obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left hip disability to correct an AOJ error related to providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The appeals for service connection and higher ratings were dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his end stage renal disease was caused by the use of NSAIDs to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service-connected right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities, as the evidence showed that these conditions arose on December 21, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip, right hip, diabetes mellitus type II, headache disorder, and thoracic spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions but denied an initial compensable rating for Bell's Palsy (right side) and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities.

The Board granted readjudication of a service connection claim for a low back disability and remanded claims for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee condition, right shoulder pain, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left and right knee degenerative arthritis, but remanded the claims for a bilateral eye condition and residuals of a fractured rib.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 25, 2022, for service connection for a back condition but remanded the matter of entitlement to an extraschedular total disability based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to April 13, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a bone disorder, back disability, right shoulder radiculopathy, right and left foot osteoarthritis, neck disability, and dry eye syndrome due to the lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or symptoms during service that are related to these conditions.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings of 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU. The depression was denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various disabilities and conditions, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, left lower extremity scar associated with the left ankle disability, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or instability.