Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, residuals of stroke, and osteoarthritis right hip including right thigh injury. The Veteran's disability rating in excess of 40 percent for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine was denied.

The Board dismissed the claims for a compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction and increased special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, as there remains no case or controversy with respect to these issues over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction. The claims for an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder, left knee disability, and service connection for right knee disability are remanded due to duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis, as the evidence did not show that the current condition was related to in-service events or incurred during active duty.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy and 30 percent for the left knee disability from August 7, 2019 to September 26, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a recurrent right shoulder disability, a recurrent left shoulder disability, and a recurrent left knee disability to be further evaluated with additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for sclerosis and remanded the claims for heart murmur, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis due to a lack of current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service.

The appeal was granted for service connection of renal cell carcinoma, chronic depression or dysthymia, and PTSD. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking the condition to active service or an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, a left knee condition, a lumbosacral spine condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted service connection for left knee posttraumatic degenerative arthritis, bilateral shin splints, and lumbar strain. A 20 percent initial rating was assigned for hemorrhoids.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and higher initial ratings for service-connected low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and prior to June 25, 2018, for left knee arthroplasty.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory conditions, bilateral upper extremity conditions, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities but granted service connection for night sweats as they are proximately due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and separation with traumatic arthritis, as the evidence showed that the condition was limited to flexion and/or abduction, limited to 120 degrees or less.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left hip disorders, right shoulder impingement, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and bulging disc. However, a 10 percent rating was granted from April 1, 2024, for both hips based on painful motion.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left hip, right hip, left foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected varicose veins and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis and a baker's cyst, as well as service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, due to deficiencies in VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities was granted.