Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, and dismissed his appeal for service connection for a left deltoid disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

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

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from July 21, 2010, through October 24, 2019, and denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent on and after October 25, 2019. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension, respectively.

The Board denied service connection for joint conditions of the right and left hands, as well as initial compensable ratings for various hip and knee disabilities.

The Board granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right and left knee disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and remanded claims for service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to render him unable to physically care for himself, thereby granting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date prior to the specified dates.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, including intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for left hand arthritis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, and a compensable rating for left 4th digit mallet finger.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine condition and left knee condition, while denying service connection for costochondritis, dizziness, right foot condition, sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with calcific tendinopathy, supraspinatus tendon status-post acromioplasty/distal clavicle excision, and a compensable rating for scar of right shoulder. The initial rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, readjudicated the claim for a neck disability, and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The claim for chronic kidney disease and kidney stones was remanded.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and evaluation in excess of certain ratings for various service-connected conditions, as well as a claim for TDIU, due to the need for updated medical information.

The appeal for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, gastrointestinal disorder, and hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant. The TDIU rating claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since December 13, 2010.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, post laminectomy syndrome, and surgical fusion C5/6 and C6/7, as well as bilateral cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, secondary to these conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address the Veteran's lay statements and provide an opinion on whether his lumbar spine condition is related to his active-duty service or his service-connected bilateral knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, claimed as a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current back condition was not caused by his military service.