Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board remands the issues of a rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected right knee instability and left knee strain with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral chondromalacia prior to September 7, 2016, as additional medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied increased ratings for left and right knee instability, but granted an evaluation of 20 percent from April 9, 2012 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis and osteopenia with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his active military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for not timely submitting a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year from the date of the mailing of an adverse decision.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition and a right shoulder condition as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and remanded the claim for further development regarding his left knee status post arthroscopic repair with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of the lower extremities, thus granting eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board remands the matter for an additional medical opinion to assess whether the Veteran's low back condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, lumbosacral strain, cold weather injuries, sinusitis, degenerative arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to obtain a TERA memorandum and appropriate medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and right knee disabilities other than degenerative arthritis, as well as an earlier effective date for the award of a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The initial compensable rating for bronchitis prior to May 2, 2023 was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, stenosis, and IVDS based on a favorable finding by the RO that new and relevant evidence had been received to readjudicate the claim.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome, left foot sprain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims, including those for higher ratings and service connection.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to an incomplete record regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) from November 5, 2008, to October 18, 2011, from January 1, 2012, to October 23, 2012, from February 1, 2013, to February 23, 2014, and from April 1, 2015, to March 10, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, and left lower extremity condition manifested by numbness for further development.