Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and lumbar disc displacement, and hypertension.

The Board denied an initial increased rating higher than 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and remanded the claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as it is inextricably intertwined with a direct service connection claim.

The appeal for service connection for right acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with gout has been dismissed by the Veteran.

The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance, as well as service connection and earlier effective dates for certain conditions, while denying increased ratings and earlier effective dates for others.

The rejection letters issued on November 25, 2022, July 18, 2023, and March 27, 2024, are void. The Veteran's claims for initial separate ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, entitlement to initial separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral knee instability, a non-initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, an earlier effective date, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability with an effective date of January 5, 2021, and initial ratings of 70 percent for PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits, all effective from August 9, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis was dismissed due to the untimeliness of his notice of disagreement.

The appeal for an increased rating of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cardiac disability and low back disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The GERD claim was remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and service connection for cervical spine and chronic sinusitis disabilities, while denying increased ratings for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, and dyspnea on exertion.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and denied an increased rating for erectile dysfunction, while granting a reduced rating for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, and did not grant a rating higher than 20 percent for a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis or any of the other remanded claims.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates for the increased 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 50 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis, while denying increased ratings for left knee instability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran based on chronic symptoms during service and manifestations within one year after discharge.