Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, but remanded several other claims related to the low back and various peripheral nerves.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria beyond July 31, 2020.

The Board denied various claims for increased disability ratings and restoration of a compensable rating for the Veteran's left knee, bilateral pes planus, right ankle, left hip, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected right shoulder condition was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain with calcific tendonitis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The lower back disability claim was remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, denied increased ratings for RLE radiculopathy and hypertension, and denied an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a right hip ganglion cyst removal.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, effective January 1, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right elbow degenerative arthritis, left elbow degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis (diagnosed as right knee arthritic changes), and left knee osteoarthritis (diagnosed as left knee arthritic changes) on a direct basis.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and remanded the claims for higher ratings for post operative residuals, multiple dislocations of the right shoulder with degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating of PTSD with TBI but granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and a 10 percent rating for hand degenerative arthritis, right (thumb), from specific dates.

The claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left foot degenerative arthritis, and right foot degenerative arthritis are remanded due to an insufficient examination.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the spinal stenosis surgery scar and denied a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis. The claim for right ear hearing loss was readjudicated based on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left wrist degenerative arthritis, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity. However, it granted a 40 percent rating for back disability, service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to the back disability, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and scar on neck as secondary to a lumbar spine disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, chronic left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis based on the Veteran's credible testimony of in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 11, 2010, for the service connection for impairment of the thigh due to right hip degenerative arthritis with strain and trochanteric pain syndrome and left hip degenerative arthritis limitation of extension with strain and trochanteric pain syndrome and tendinopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination to address inconsistencies in the October 2023 VA examination report.