Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of spondylolisthesis L5 spondylolysis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and degenerative arthritis (claimed as a back disability) is granted with an effective date of April 24, 1993.

Your claim for service connection for a left hip condition has been fully granted, and the issue is dismissed as moot.

The Board has found that further development is needed due to the inadequacy of a July 2023 VA mental disorder examination and pertinent September 2023 VA opinion on the matter. The Veteran's insomnia symptoms are considered secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA disability records. The AOJ will consider the recent grants of service connection in conjunction with the TDIU application.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis and shoulder strain, left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his in-service treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and gout due to insufficient medical opinions on their etiology.

The appeal for service connection on all issues except left knee degenerative arthritis and Baker's cyst is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of cervical stenosis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and a posterior neck scar as the Veteran's representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim, but remand is required due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service or an in-service injury.

The Veteran's increased spinal evaluations and additional radiculopathy diagnoses were only factually ascertainable after the date of his original claim, leading to an effective date of February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, left foot, right foot, left shoulder, and right hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and levoscoliosis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims at a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right or left shoulder disabilities aggravate his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left and right knee strains are all found to be related to his active military service.,The Veteran's tension headaches (claimed as migraines) are determined to be due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's right shoulder and knee disabilities are granted, with a 10 percent rating for the knee disability. The Veteran is also awarded a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's vertigo is granted as service-connected, and the other issues on appeal are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited evidence of additional functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform daily activities. The issues of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, financial assistance in purchasing specially adapted housing, and financial assistance in special home adaptations are also being addressed.