Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion on the extent that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities affect his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left shoulders, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for right knee status post arthroplasty, based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for hypertension, fracture of the right ring finger, lumbar scar, right ankle scars, and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied initial ratings above the assigned levels for various service-connected conditions, except for a 50 percent rating for tension headaches.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder, finding that the symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a higher rating based on the facts found.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine surgery, and radiculopathies as secondary to cervical spine surgery due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, dismissing his appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's passing.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis due to noncompliance with previous remand directives.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right hip residuals, status post sclerotic lesion excision with degenerative arthritis and limitation of adduction, abduction, and rotation from November 3, 2020 to March 14, 2023, and a 70 percent rating for right hip total replacement. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip residuals, status post sclerotic lesion incision prior to February 24, 2022, and from April 1, 2022 to March 14, 2023.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability was reopened and granted, while the appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board also remanded an issue regarding degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities, except for the right and left sciatic nerve disabilities which were granted an effective date of August 18, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and lumbosacral left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a left hip condition.

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

The Veteran withdrew her service connection claims for a lumbar spine condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right hip condition. The Board remanded the issues related to the Veteran's left hip disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for diverticulosis. The claim for a compensable rating for malaria was also denied.