Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted an initial increased disability rating of 20 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis with shin splints and service connection for a low back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or intervertebral disc syndrome requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, DJD of the left shoulder, and a right foot disability to obtain additional medical evidence.

The appeal was dismissed as the proposed severance and reduction of evaluations were not final decisions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee status post meniscectomy, total knee replacement with residuals secondary to meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease, as they are proximately caused by the Veteran's service-connected ankle condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of an in-service disease or injury, and the post-service medical records did not show that these conditions were related to his service.

The Board remands the case to schedule an examination for a more accurate assessment of the Veteran's GERD symptoms, excluding the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and right hip strain with trochanteric pain syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and increased the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, left ankle sprain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to 20 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right ankle sprain and degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and bulging disc L4-L5, but remanded service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back condition in service or continuous symptoms since service. The claimant is not entitled to a TDIU as well.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's back disability and ensure the examination is adequate in light of the Court's holding in Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral shoulder conditions, and bilateral knee conditions, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 20, 1969 for the award of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic hypersomnia and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the lumbosacral spine were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in calendar year 2021 for a back brace, as there was no evidence that the use of the back brace resulted in wear and tear on the outer garment.

The appeal for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right hip conditions was withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was promulgated.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, and TDIU was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, both on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims for increased ratings for the right and left shoulder conditions were denied.