Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, as his service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for dizziness, multiple sclerosis, and a back disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 9, 2018, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, GERD, and low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee conditions.

The Veteran's right little finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating, and the claims for increased ratings for his right knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for various conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased evaluations, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for left ankle status post fracture with degenerative arthritis and a 30 percent rating for bilateral foot pes planus with hallux rigidus status post foot strain, while denying an increased rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a right wrist condition and a right shoulder, degenerative arthritis, other than posttraumatic (previously claimed as right shoulder arthralgia) because the appeals were untimely.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and entitlement to a TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture and lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteochondritis dissecans, to include osteochondral fracture and degenerative arthritis, status-post Brostrom surgery.

The Board restored the 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, denied earlier effective dates and higher ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patellofemoral syndrome, and a separate rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, as there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to December 28, 2022.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran failed to follow the claims processing rules.

The appeal for a TDIU is remanded to the Undersecretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. §4.16(b).

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's back conditions, finding that they are related to his active-duty service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and separate evaluations for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish entitlement to increased ratings prior to March 21, 2024.