Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for dental disability, to include jaw pain and periodontal disease, as well as higher initial ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes. The Board also remanded several other issues including entitlement to TDIU, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and arthritis service connection.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbosacral strain effective July 8, 2015, and the claim for an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee instability before June 12, 2023, and an evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and right total hip arthroplasty to correct a duty to assist error, as the previous VA medical opinions were found inadequate.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings for various conditions, including right knee scars, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee pain, limited flexion, back disorder, and right knee meniscal tear with knee meniscus repair and joint osteoarthritis.

The appeal was dismissed for proposed reductions in ratings for degenerative arthritis, left ankle, and left knee osteoarthritis, limitation of flexion. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypercholesterolemia were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his malignant melanoma, sinusitis, cluster headaches, and cervical degenerative arthritis with radiculopathy do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for right hip osteoarthritis was dismissed due to the Veteran's untimely filing of a Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded several other claims related to the veteran's knees, ankles, hips, and spine.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for multiple back and joint disabilities, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted an effective date of August 9, 2021, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities but denied earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's left shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and tendonitis were granted service connection as secondary to his right shoulder disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 60 percent rating for GERD.

The Board granted service connection for head scars and denied increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis, right ankle disability, and PTSD with TBI and vertigo.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis but remanded the claims for instability for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and greater than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings and compensable ratings for various left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, internal derangement, meniscal tear, painful scars, and post arthroscopic surgery scars.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include back pain associated with a right knee replacement and gout affecting multiple joints.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.