Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for left knee meniscal tear and chronic rhinitis, but denied earlier effective dates for headaches and a left knee scar. Service connection was also granted for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis status post MCL surgery based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's limitation of flexion has always been far better than 30 degrees and most limited to approximately 125 degrees, even when considering all factors, such as flare-ups and after repetitive use.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities to correct a regulatory or statutory duty, the correction of which has a reasonable possibility of aiding in substantiating the claims.

The Board granted separate ratings for meniscal conditions of the knees and service connection for left knee instability and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to a service-connected condition, while denying increased ratings for the knees based on limitation of extension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for spinous fracture C-7, temporomandibular disorder, acid reflux, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension, and a 60 percent evaluation for right knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis status post total right knee replacement and a TDIU effective March 9, 2021. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of both upper extremities, as well as remanding two new claims.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis with IVDS and spinal stenosis.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and separate ratings for left thigh neuritis of the external cutaneous nerve and left leg neuritis of the ilio-inguinal nerve due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, a separate rating for occipital nerve impingement associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and GERD due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage, but the claims for higher ratings for instability, flexion limitation, extension limitation, and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD while granting a higher initial disability rating for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle tendonitis, a rating greater than 10 percent for cystic acne, an initial compensable rating for scars associated with cystic acne, and various other conditions. The claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, cervicothoracic pain, residual left foot pain, restless leg syndrome, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability rating for cardiac arrhythmia was denied.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 16, 2020, for the awards of service connection for cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied earlier effective dates for other lower extremity conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of August 1, 2013, for the award of service connection for various conditions.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, specifically requesting that the Veteran provide authorization for release of records related to her disability benefits from the State of Alabama.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent prior to March 4, 2025, and higher than 40 percent from March 4, 2025, for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining private medical records and addendum medical opinions.