Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including back, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle issues.

The Board restored the 60 percent rating for osteoarthritis in both the left and right hips, effective January 18, 2021, as the reduction was found to be improper.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, DDD of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, left knee strain, right knee strain, left foot tendonitis, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, but remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee strain with right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronicity of care and that the current condition is not related to active duty.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS, a scar associated with it, and dismissed claims for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to improper concurrent election of multiple review options.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and IVDS, effective March 19, 2022, while denying higher ratings for other conditions. The Board also granted TDIU since February 16, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for left knee medical meniscal tear, status post arthroscopy (left knee disability), with osteoarthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for additional rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of hands and feet, as there was no evidence that her functioning in these areas were so diminished as to be equally well served by amputation with a prosthesis.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with herniated disc and spinal stenosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand, and a left hip disability to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and associating relevant treatment records with the file.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability secondary to a left upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also granted increased ratings for certain periods of time for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip disabilities of degenerative arthritis and hip strain as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, but remanded the issue of an arthritis disorder with involvement of the shoulders.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of one hand resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision, as it pertains to awards of higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral hallux valgus. The appeal was denied with respect to service connection for bilateral lower sciatic radiculopathy.