Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for multiple musculoskeletal disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral joint osteoarthritis, based on in-service exposure to PCBs.

The Board remands the issues of increased disability ratings for various conditions due to a failure to substantially comply with previous directives.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for left knee instability with degenerative arthritis, while denying increased ratings for the left knee strain and lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee limitation of flexion, but granted a 40 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, asthma (claimed as respiratory condition, lung condition, and chronic tussis/cough), and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the left knee. The claims for flare ups, limited extension, and limited flexion were denied. Several other claims were remanded.

The Board granted a 40% rating for bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and TDIU, but denied increased ratings for the back condition, lumbar scar, and other hip conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back condition, right knee osteoarthritis, and GERD and hiatal hernia to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, effective January 24, 2022. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for GERD.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding it to be causally related to his active service.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is shown to be employed fulltime as a police officer earning over $67,000 per year.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, and right knee osteoarthritis, so the Board has no jurisdiction to review this claim.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to allow the AOJ to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing and determine if additional evidentiary development is required.

The appeal for service connection and increased ratings for kidney disease, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board remands the service connection claims for acne and acne scarring, lower back degenerative arthritis, temporomandibular disorder, feet conditions including plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, and left side sciatica due to missing active-duty service treatment records.

The Board denied increased ratings for post-traumatic osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the knees, denied a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, denied initial compensable evaluations for knee surgical scars, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board granted separate 10 percent ratings for meniscectomy of both knees.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, finding that the Veteran's condition started during his active duty and continued since then.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist osteoarthritis was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right shoulder, left and right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.