Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for the back disability, effective July 9, 2021.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the low back disability from June 17, 2020 was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board grants an effective date of January 23, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, various right hand disabilities, migraines, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ankle sprain was denied, but a 20 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative arthritis prior to August 28, 2017, was granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for their low back condition from March 19, 2021 onwards was denied. The Board remanded the claims for a higher rating and TDIU prior to March 19, 2021 for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for Achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis of the right heel, stating that the condition does not result in marked limitation of motion.

The Board remanded the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the veteran's knee disabilities as of April 29, 2022. The clinician must review specific VA examination reports and address the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms without medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right foot pes planus with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis was partially granted. A 30% rating was assigned starting August 22, 2023, but the request for a higher rating before that date was denied. Additionally, a separate 10% rating for right ankle posterior tibialis insufficiency with associated chronic right ankle pain was granted effective January 17, 2017.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10% for right knee osteoarthritis. The decision was based on the veteran's range of motion and lack of additional functional loss.

The Board increased the ratings for left and right knee disabilities to 20 percent, but denied an increased rating for a low back disability and a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, painful flexion.

The Board dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and clavicle deformity as they are not appealable determinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various conditions, including migraine headaches and a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for other disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for left ankle and back disabilities based on clear and unmistakable error in a June 1984 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, with anxious distress and remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome and entitlement to service connection for shin splints as secondary to the service-connected disability.