Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for each condition.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right elbow. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for the lumbar condition and 30 percent for the cervical condition, but remanded other claims including service connection for a left elbow condition and evaluations for various knee and hand conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's disability had its onset during his period of active service. The other issues were remanded due to deficiencies in the evidence.

The Board granted restoration of a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left hip limitation of flexion and a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension, effective March 12, 2025.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, as well as right upper extremity radiculopathy of the upper and middle radicular nerve groups.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine; lumbar strain, as the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal for direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 Rating Decision was dismissed as the funds were disbursed to the Veteran.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with vertebral fracture and 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for headaches and gastrointestinal issues were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act and denied service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and remanded claims for asthma, low back, neck condition, and tension headaches.

The Board granted service connection for various radiculopathies and cervical spine conditions, with effective dates of March 7, 2014, but no earlier, and June 23, 2014, but no earlier. It also granted an initial rating of 30 percent from March 7, 2014, for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and a 40 percent rating from June 23, 2014, for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected knees. The effective date for the grants of service connection and initial ratings are set at December 7, 2018, with some ratings increased.

The Board remands the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative arthritis to obtain additional evidence and clarify the ameliorative effects of medications on the Veteran's condition.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability and there was no credible evidence that any claimed condition began during or is related to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted an increased rating to 40 percent, and no higher, as of May 4, 2021. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the '(l)' rate.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for right knee degenerative arthritis, to include limitation of flexion, due to a pre-decisional error and to obtain a more adequate medical examination.

The Board granted an effective date of September 3, 2019 for the service connection claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, residuals of left foot surgery, scar of the left foot, painful scar of the left foot, tinnitus, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.