Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the case to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining private treatment and Social Security Administration records.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of service connection for sleep apnea and granted increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities. However, it denied earlier effective dates for other conditions and increased ratings for atrial fibrillation.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The left knee and gastrointestinal (stomach) disabilities were remanded for further evidence.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, left hand and PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder. The claims for asthma and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus. It also granted a TDIU from September 24, 2021, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) from that date.

The Board granted an effective date of November 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for various disabilities including cervical spine stenosis, degenerative arthritis, IVDS status post fusion surgery with residuals, right and left shoulder strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, right and left knee strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, left hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension of the right thigh, limitation of abduction of the right thigh, limitation of extension of the left thigh, and limitation of abduction of the left thigh.

The veteran withdrew the appeal of the May 2021 rating decision, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The claim was also denied based on a lack of medical nexus between the current disability and an in-service injury.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis/spondylolisthesis due to an inadequate VA etiology opinion.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint arthritis, heart disease, and memory loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The appeal for an evaluation higher than 30 percent for service-connected PTSD was dismissed, and the initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, iron deficiency anemia, and other specified eating disorder were denied. The Board remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of both hips and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for further evidentiary development.

The Board granted an effective date of April 22, 2020, for compensable ratings and service connection for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal of the propriety of the reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling, effective May 18, 2021, for service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of right knee strain with osteoarthritis to correct an error by the AOJ in failing to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis right knee, as there was no evidence of flexion or extension limited to 30 degrees, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, ankylosis, impairment of the tibia or fibula, meniscal conditions, or genu recurvatum.

The veteran withdrew the appeal concerning multiple issues, including PTSD, pes planus, cervical strain and degenerative arthritis, and posttraumatic headaches.

The Board granted service connection for chronic osteoarthritis of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hand and wrist conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a new opinion adequate for purposes of VA adjudication, as it finds that the AOJ has not substantially complied with both remand instructions.