Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied an evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 10, 2020 and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine with cervical osteophytes, and right ankle peroneal tendonitis were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate previously denied claims for service connection due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the issues for further development, including new examinations that comply with specific requirements.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, post-operative residuals of cervical spine surgery, L5 bilateral spondylosis with grade 1 anterolisthesis, moderate-severe foraminal stenosis, left hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, left lateral collateral ligament sprain, pes planus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for right Achilles tendon rupture.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service at Fort Gordon.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for left and right knee conditions to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left clavicle condition and trauma and stressor disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of November 17, 2009, for the award of service connection for bilateral flat feet. The claim for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, a residual scar on the left ankle, and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as secondary conditions including sciatica and major depressive disorder. The decision also denied service connection for left and right hip arthritis.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacement has been granted a rating of 60 percent, effective February 1, 2023. The claim for a compensable rating for left knee arthroscopy scars was denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the back disability from June 8, 2023, and granted TDIU prior to November 30, 2012.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis to obtain further medical evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical disorder and a low back disorder, both diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus, left patella traumatic arthritis, right patella traumatic arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder degenerative arthritis. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and his active military service.

The Board granted service connection for left and right ankle osteoarthritis, but remanded the claims for left and right leg sciatica due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left scrotum disability with voiding dysfunction, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on urinary frequency.