Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remanded the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis because the VA examinations were inadequate.

The appeal for a higher rating of degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the veteran died while it was pending.

The Board remanded the veteran's appeal to address issues related to the effective date and rating increase for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed due to untimely filing. Service connection for left eye presumed ocular histoplasmosis choroidoneovascular membrane was granted based on evidence linking the condition to swimming in the Mississippi River during service.

The Board granted the appeal, finding that the reduction of the veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 20% to 10% was improper. The 20% rating is restored effective February 1, 2023.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left knee disorder, right knee disorder, hypertension, GERD, asthma, and a compensable disability rating for conjunctivitis. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right hip, a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were remanded.

The veteran's service connection for arthritis in the hips, knees, and lumbar spine was granted. Other conditions were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right elbow degenerative arthritis, stating that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for DEA and TDIU was denied. The veteran's PTSD rating remains at 50% and the left shoulder disability rating remains at 20%. The claim for service connection for OSA is remanded.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. The Board found that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted. The Board found that his condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left hip degenerative arthritis. The Board found that additional evidence is needed to make a decision.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of the veteran's right hip total hip replacement with osteoarthritis, considering it as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities or as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities and PTSD with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board granted the veteran's appeal and restored a 20 percent rating for impairment of the right knee, effective April 26, 2023.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a back condition and erectile dysfunction was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee instability was granted at 20 percent. Claims for increased ratings for painful range of motion in the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied. The veteran was granted a separate disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities, effective March 8, 2022.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is denied. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.