Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine mid/lower back beginning on October 26, 2023, and denied increased ratings for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and tension headaches.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claim for a neck disability was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition for further development, including new VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's connective tissue disorder from November 16, 2012, to May 22, 2016, and denied a higher rating in excess of 60 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 30 percent and 70 percent for left hip degenerative joint disease and right foot hallux valgus, respectively.

The Board granted service connection for left and right shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis and labral tear, finding that the Veteran experienced shoulder pain related to these conditions during his active-duty service from May 2000 to November 2003.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and right ankle disabilities as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period, and no medical nexus to an in-service injury.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, effective October 1, 2019, and also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the ratings of left knee degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, and somatic symptom disorder, both assigned as of February 28, 2020. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was not readjudicated.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and denied service connection for pericarditis and pleurisy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 29, 2007 for the grant of service connection for headaches, degenerative arthritis of the neck, left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for tendonitis and remanded the claim for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and their military service.

The Board granted a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 18, 2019, through October 20, 2020, and an effective date of July 18, 2019, but not earlier, for the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea based on evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) is granted due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected disabilities.