Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted increased ratings of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal fusion, right wrist strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as of July 15, 2021. The PTSD claim was remanded.

The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features and granted entitlement to TDIU. The left shoulder condition was remanded for further examination.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for patellar instability of the left and right knees, as well as a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion of the left knee from January 3, 2023. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscal repair and left knee degenerative arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and service connection, resulting in the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in the disability rating for service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct an error in providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral compartment arthritis and right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The appeal for higher ratings of sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies was dismissed, while the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis of both hips were remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for gastrointestinal problems and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the back. The claims for other conditions were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder and a rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity secondary to cervicalgia with degenerative arthritis and IVDS.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety from August 31, 2019, and denied an effective date prior to August 31, 2020, for the grant of service connection and separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a left knee rating and TDIU due to a need for an addendum opinion that considers the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disabilities and TDIU due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding range of motion findings upon repetitive use over time and during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, while remanding several other claims including lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, nasal fracture, hemorrhoids, and insomnia.

The Board remands the claims for further development, specifically to obtain a new examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald and addresses the Veteran's reported flare-ups.

The Board remands the appeal for eligibility under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to correct an AOJ error in satisfying a regulatory and statutory duty, which has a reasonable possibility of aiding in substantiating the appellant's claim.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain a more thorough VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 2007, for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.