Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for both knees, stating that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were dismissed or denied. The veteran failed to appear for scheduled examinations, which led to the denial of increased ratings for lumbar strain and right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease was denied. The claims for service connection for a kidney impairment disorder and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and dyspareunia was granted, but the claim for a compensable rating for FSAD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right and left hip disabilities, claiming degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's disability ratings for low back and left sciatic nerve issues were restored to previous levels. Claims for erectile dysfunction and pseudofolliculitis were denied. Other issues, including service connection for headaches and hypertension, were remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was restored to 20 percent, making the issue moot.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing specific criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits. The increase in disability occurred before the one-year period prior to the claim date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for various service-connected knee conditions.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis due to insufficient objective evidence regarding neurological abnormalities.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a new examination to assess the severity of their service-connected hip and thigh disabilities. The Board found that the previous examiner did not adequately discuss functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for residuals of a right shoulder injury with osteoarthritis was dismissed because the issue was not adjudicated in the September 2022 rating decision.

The Board granted the veteran's appeal, restoring service connection for all claimed conditions and SMC benefits.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee tendinopathy was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee meniscus tear residuals was granted.

The Board granted some issues, denied others, and remanded several for further development. The veteran's ratings for onychomycosis and GERD were restored to 30 percent. Effective dates for service connection for right shoulder surgical scars and lumbar spine surgical scar were granted. Several other issues were denied or dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied the appeals for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, right anterior shoulder scar. The other issues were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction, right wrist surgery, right wrist surgical scar, and right knee osteoarthritis were also denied. However, the reduction in the disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was restored to 20 percent.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's cervical spine condition but remanded decisions on ankle osteoarthritis, sleep disorder, and TDIU.