Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's functional loss without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left temporomandibular joint, finding that the Veteran's condition had its clinical onset during his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to include degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease as secondary to his service-connected disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis status post meniscal tear, as well as left knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscal tear, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including providing an additional VA examination.

The Board granted increased ratings of 30 percent for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, right knee instability, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee instability.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and remanded several claims, while dismissing or denying the rest.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition (degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis) but dismissed an appeal seeking a rating in excess of 10 percent for right eye retinal tear/detachment.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine with scoliosis, right and left lower extremity sciatica, as well as service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral pes planus, and hallux valgus left foot.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury or disease incurred during his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, granted it for unspecified anxiety disorder, and denied it for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a skin disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, except for tinnitus which was granted.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 2001, for the award of service connection for left foot bunion, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for readjudication of the claim of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the appeal for another VA examination to properly evaluate the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis, considering the ameliorative effects of medication.