Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for the back disability prior to March 10, 2022, and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent as of that date. For the left lower extremity radiculopathy, it granted an initial 20 percent rating prior to June 18, 2024, and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent as of that date.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected left total knee replacement, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee instability.

The appeals for increased ratings and other claims were dismissed as moot or not meeting the criteria.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied increased ratings for multiple conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The Board also remanded service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and right ear hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, but denied service connection for BPPV. The right lumbar radiculopathy was also granted as secondary to the back disability.

The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, increased the rating for PTSD from 50 percent to 70 percent from September 1, 2017 to July 8, 2019, granted TDIU effective January 1, 2014, and awarded SMC based on housebound status effective September 1, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, osteoarthritis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease with instability and limitation of flexion.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed as a matter of law. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound was granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and lipoma of the low back due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and restored the 40 percent rating, effective February 1, 2025. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected major (dominant) right wrist disability and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand due to the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board granted an effective date of May 28, 2021 for the award of service connection for multiple conditions including cervical spine stenosis, right and left knee strains, and right and left hip osteoarthritis.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for chronic laryngitis with hoarseness status post right true vocal cord polyp excision and remanded the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic with tendinosis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain with osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the condition is related to service.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee degenerative arthritis due to a need for an addendum opinion that discounts any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's left and right total knee replacements from their respective effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete evidence regarding functional loss during flareups and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and headaches, but denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia.