Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain, left knee instability with osteoarthritis, left knee limitation of flexion, left knee limitation of extension, and right shoulder bursitis, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and repair as the VA examinations are found to be inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, namely lumbar spondylosis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected retropatellar syndrome, arthritis and meniscal strain, right knee.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board granted service connection for multiple musculoskeletal disabilities, including left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee joint osteoarthritis, right big toe osteoarthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with cervical stenosis, and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral spine spondylosis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, lumbosacral strain, and IVDS, secondary to service-connected right ankle disability, due to an inadequate VA medical nexus opinion.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for right hip arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica as secondary to the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and higher compensation for DEA benefits, as well as remanded several hand and knee conditions for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased initial ratings for various conditions, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and chondromalacia based on the continuity of symptomatology since service.

The veteran was granted an effective date of September 11, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbosacral strain and radiculopathies in both hips and legs.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a cervical spine disability. A 40 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not support that he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected major depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear, right knee osteoarthritis, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, now rated as degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and joint disease of the lower thoracic spine.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and headaches, due to a duty-to-assist error regarding VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation more than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of cervical spine and more than 30 percent for right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome to ensure adequate examinations are conducted.