Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability, effective from November 29, 2022, due to an inadequate VA examination that did not provide range of motion measurements in weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for PTSD and MDD, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the right knee scar status post (s/p) surgery and remanded claims for increased ratings of osteoarthritis in both hips.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for increased ratings and restored previous ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand, finding the evidence persuasively against a nexus to service. The Board remanded claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right knee meniscal tear and chondromalacia due to inadequate VA medical opinions that failed to address aggravation theories and direct service connection.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, vitamin D deficiency, and other conditions. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 11, 2020, warranting a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia was granted a rating of 10 percent, while other knee conditions and scars were denied higher ratings. TDIU was also granted.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and a need for a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower lumbar spine degenerative arthritis based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the December 2018 rating decision that reduced her disability rating for a lumbosacral strain, as there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The appeal seeking service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald to determine the current degree of severity of the service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, TDIU, and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for left hip iliopsoas tendinopathy and meralgia paresthetica due to lateral femoral cutaneous nerve impingement, but remanded the claims for a left wrist condition with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right-hand condition with painful joints.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain due to untimely appeals. The claims for knee degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic pain syndrome were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking them to active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability was remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy (chronic kidney disease), peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities, varicose veins (PVD) of the right and left leg, and degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or that these conditions are related to service.