Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for various knee and back conditions, sciatica, and femoral nerve impairment, except for a 20 percent rating granted for left and right femoral nerve impairment beginning August 25, 2022.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis or for TDIU.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and an effective date of January 25, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for right hip strain, left hip strain, left elbow degenerative arthritis with strain, right elbow disability, right knee strain and shin splints, left knee strain and shin splints, right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, and sleep disability. The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, hair loss disease/disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension.

The Board denied increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of PTSD. The Board remanded service connection for a sleep condition secondary to PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back, left knee and bilateral wrist disabilities to provide adequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right and left knee limitation of extension, and a TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates for sciatic and femoral radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gout, right hand; left knee osteoarthritis; and bilateral hearing loss to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective April 16, 2019.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for various disabilities and TDIU, as no relevant evidence was received to support an earlier date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure that the Veteran is afforded a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending Board appeals and is satisfied with his 100 percent combined rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, left shoulder supraspinatus tendinopathy and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, tinea unguium, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease due to the lack of a current diagnosis, and remanded claims for left lower extremity sciatica and radiculopathy as well as degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine for further development.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disabilities and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and remanded issues related to cervical spine degenerative arthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded, while the claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy is also remanded due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right chondromalacia patella/patellofemoral malalignment with degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for the left leg disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including a more contemporaneous examination.