Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and service connection for several conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and related conditions due to deficiencies in the medical opinions and missing records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic respiratory condition and right hip osteoarthritis were granted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for MDD was granted, but the increased rating for left foot fracture and service connection for hip conditions were denied or remanded. The claim for TDIU was also remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will undergo a new VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his condition.

The veteran's service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis s/p hip replacement, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted.

The veteran was granted a 40% disability rating for their service-connected spinal conditions but denied a higher rating. The effective date of the rating is September 1, 2011.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The effective date for obstructive sleep apnea is September 29, 2020. The effective date for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and disc displacement is denied earlier than January 4, 2021. The effective date for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy is January 4, 2021. An initial evaluation of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and disc placement from January 4, 2021, to November 29, 2021, is granted.

The veteran's claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatica, and knee strains were granted as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Other conditions were remanded.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. A compensable rating for left lower extremity surgery scar is denied. All other issues are remanded.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for several service-connected conditions but remanded the issues related to initial disability ratings.

The veteran's request for a disability rating above 70% for PTSD was denied, but they were granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to their service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied some claims and granted others. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left knee strain and left foot strain but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of several conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and various knee issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis and other related conditions, has been granted. The decision is based on evidence showing that the condition progressed during active service.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder was dismissed because the benefit was already granted in full by a prior decision.

The Veteran's use of VA-issued right wrist and bilateral knee braces caused excessive wear and tear on his clothing, warranting the award of clothing allowances for 2014.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and an earlier effective date due to inadequate examinations and opinions.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis was granted, but the claims for higher ratings for left and right ankle strains were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.