Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. An effective date of April 23, 2021, was granted for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, to include osteoarthritis, and an effective date of April 20, 2017, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the appeal for further development, specifically to obtain VA treatment records from the CBOC in Charlotte Hall, Maryland.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol/stimulant use disorder, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, right knee disability (degenerative arthritis), and right knee surgical scars. The issues of a low back disability, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, left knee disability, shin splints, right foot disability, and right ankle disability were remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis prior to October 5, 2015.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination related to cold weather training and presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased rating due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent prior to March 19, 2021, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to that date for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, meniscal tear status post arthroscopic surgery with degenerative joint disease, and artificial knee joint replacement based on the evidence supporting a direct link to the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the matter to request clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment history and whether any special accommodations due to service-connected disabilities were arranged by his employer.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability, endometriosis, and a heart disability. The rating assigned was 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy from March 27, 2018, and 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy from July 3, 2017.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from August 23, 2013, to October 6, 2021.

The Board granted an effective date of March 31, 2014, for the awards of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis with painful motion and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, granted an earlier effective date for left lower extremity scars, but did not assign a compensable rating for them from August 23, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear with patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the spine with mild spondylosis and segmental instability as secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis.