Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis due to an unclear remand directive from the Court.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for higher ratings for several conditions, including foot and shoulder issues, scars, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, but the claim for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to a service-connected depressive disorder due to chronic pain associated with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, was granted. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity caused by the depressive disorder led to the sleep apnea.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hip conditions were partially granted and partially denied. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of metacarpal carpal osteoarthritis right thumb due to inadequate medical opinion. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis, left foot heel spur, and residuals of multiple left ankle sprains has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's obesity was an intermediate step between these conditions and OSA.

The Board remanded the claims for increased ratings for left ankle and left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip conditions were granted. Claims for an earlier effective date for left knee condition and a residual shoulder scar were denied or dismissed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, so he is granted total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Board remanded the case to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran will receive an additional VA examination to ascertain the severity and manifestations of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, left foot strain, and left hip strain was dismissed because the Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for several conditions was granted, with the effective date set to January 26, 2021. The veteran will receive a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, lipoma, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board remanded the claim for a higher disability rating for the veteran's right shoulder condition. The VA needs to conduct another examination to assess the severity of the condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction has been granted. The decision is based on the finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by medications taken to treat his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis and PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability starting December 27, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for both right and left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, stating that the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis before December 20, 2022.