Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left ankle osteochondritis dissecans and degenerative arthritis with left gastrocnemius contracture as residuals status post left ankle arthroscopic surgery, but denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and left leg syndesmosis instability.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, status post laminectomy for disc herniation from January 14, 2020 (except for a period when a temporary 100 percent rating was in effect).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and a TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to February 9, 2024, and denied higher ratings for the other issues on appeal.

The Board granted restoration of a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), while denying the other claims.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's left hip condition and granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for chronic otitis externa and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his low back disability due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and a need for a supplemental VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's condition is assessed without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for olecranon enthesophyte to include degenerative arthritis of the left elbow, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, insomnia, and headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent or compensable ratings for various disabilities due to premature Notice of Disagreement filings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, and foot conditions, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted the restoration of a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis, effective January 21, 2024.

The Board granted increased ratings for the service-connected left knee osteoarthritis, left and right knee instability, and left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy in certain periods, while denying increased ratings in other periods.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain effective February 10, 2023, but dismissed the claims as moot. The Board also granted increased ratings for certain conditions while denying others.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine DDD and thoracic spine scoliosis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a musculoskeletal, neck/upper back cervical spine condition and a left shoulder condition to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, effective March 12, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis but granted service connection for tinnitus.