Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis, right foot, due to severe symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and spinal stenosis due to inadequate medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, headaches disability, and a left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, status post discectomy. The claims for coughing disability, GERD, and cervical spine disability were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain disability, and left knee osteoarthritis disability based on new and relevant evidence received since previous denials.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, a left shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and left trigeminal neuralgia was dismissed due to concurrent review mechanisms being prohibited by applicable regulations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, scar s/p right knee surgery, and right leg neuropathy to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to missing treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee meniscus tear but denied an increased rating for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion).

The Board granted service connection for knee osteoarthritis under the combat presumption of 38 U.S.C. § 1154(b).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for the dismissal of previously granted conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a higher disability rating for left knee degenerative arthritis to correct a duty to assist error related to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower back disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and internal and external cutaneous nerve radiculopathies. However, it granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities from April 1, 2020, and awarded TDIU effective February 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, left knee, right knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remands the case for further development as additional evidence and clarification are needed to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for rectal scarring, rash, and discomfort due to an in-service sexual assault. The claims for other conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's knee disabilities, except for granting a 10 percent rating for left and right knee meniscal conditions.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 4, 2016, and a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to January 2, 2015. The claims for higher ratings were denied in other periods.

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for a low back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to worsening symptoms.