Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the October 2023 and February 2024 rating decisions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of increased disability ratings and DEA benefits, but denied earlier effective dates for PTSD and knee instability.

The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a low back disability to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition, specifically focusing on the dates of diagnosis for ankylosing spondylitis and spinal stenosis.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, but remanded the claim for a left foot disorder, diagnosed as hallux rigidus.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lower spine, left knee meniscal tear, and right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left great toe fracture residuals with degenerative joint disease and hallux rigidus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, diagnosed as acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, due to missing service treatment records and an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, effective February 8, 2021.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected chronic sinusitis and denied the restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected migraines, as well as other increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with DDD of the lumbar spine and an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxious distress.

The Board granted an effective date of October 1, 1993, for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea and April 10, 2006, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar disability. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 23, 2019, for the grant of service connection for mitral regurgitation was denied.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis status post patellar repair, left knee with limitation of flexion and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis status post patellar repair, left knee with limitation of extension for additional development.

The Board denied higher staged ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but granted an effective date of January 11, 2017, for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board granted service connection for a right leg disability, to include intermittent leg ulcer, right degenerative arthritis, and varicose veins, based on the evidence showing that these conditions first manifested during active-duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for his service-connected conditions, except for a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve from October 2, 2020 to April 20, 2022, and a 40% rating since April 20, 2022.

The appeal of the service connection claims for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was dismissed due to untimely submission of a VA Form 10182.

The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids, but remanded the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee strain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and right leg length discrepancy, while denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip sprain with impairment of the thigh and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right foot degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and remanded the claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine.