Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include service connection for a right wrist disability, ratings for various disabilities, and evaluations of mental health conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disc disease was granted. Effective dates earlier than January 10, 2012, for RIGHT knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a RIGHT first toe distal phalanx fracture were denied. An effective date of July 7, 2009, for urticaria (hives) was granted. Issues related to service connection for a cervical spine disorder and initial ratings for several conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back disability, finding that it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 30 percent each since March 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened, and the Board is remanding this issue.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee instability and left knee instability (on the basis of limitation of flexion) have also been remanded.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's right knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed. The claims for higher ratings for several conditions were remanded. An effective date of September 5, 2019, for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine condition, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and respiratory conditions. The Board found that the VA failed to obtain relevant private medical records and adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding no causal relationship to military service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were mostly denied, but a rating of 90 percent for residuals of a right total hip replacement and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions were denied. The claim for left knee degenerative arthritis was remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied. The claims for pulmonary sarcoidosis and lung cancer were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance for TBI residuals. The evidence did not show a need for a higher level of care by a licensed professional.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and numbness of the bilateral hands. The Board found that the medical opinions obtained were inadequate and required further examination.

The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of whether the veteran's left knee condition is secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings or initial compensable evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service connection for cervical strain and left hip osteoarthritis was granted, but the claim for chronic pain syndrome was denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and PTSD. It dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for ratings of hemorrhoids, lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied higher ratings for these conditions and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea.

The Board granted readjudication for all claimed conditions due to new and relevant evidence, but ultimately denied service connection for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence within one year of previous denials.