Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective February 7, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and right knee osteoarthritis due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, denied a compensable rating for migraine headaches, and remanded claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, specifically chronic lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, based on a continuity of symptomatology since active duty.

The Board granted an effective date of October 25, 2021, for the award of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The appeal concerning the evaluation of bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) has been dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from March 14, 2014. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II and the left shoulder condition are denied or partially granted with specific ratings.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for limitation of flexion, knee (osteoarthritis, left knee) and flatfoot, acquired (bilateral pes planus/flat feet) due to untimely filing of VA Form 10182. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The appeal for increased ratings and proposed reductions of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as well as the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, were dismissed due to the lack of a final decision on these issues.

The Board is remanding the claim for a VA opinion to address evidence of trapezius atrophy and to discount the effects of medications on the disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis based on new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability as the evidence did not support an in-service injury or disease and there was no nexus to service.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete personnel records, including those related to a court-martial.

The Board denied the rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent for bilateral flat feet with osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis effective September 15, 2023, and also denied a higher rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for left-knee disability based on limitation of flexion, granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee, and denied earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to service-connected disabilities), an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities), and headaches (secondary to service-connected disabilities). It also granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various knee and hip conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip replacement and granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the Veteran's left knee strain manifesting as loss of extension. The rating for limitation of flexion was denied.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis to include residuals of right ankle fracture, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, medial femoral condyle osteochondritis dissecans, and osteoarthritis based on the evidence showing that these conditions originated during active service.