Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral flat foot degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxious distress, was granted. Claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were denied. Other claims related to various conditions were remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, stating that it was not shown to have originated during active service and is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected disabilities was granted. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability and right knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence. The veteran will have additional opportunities to submit evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to service-connected disabilities was granted. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia in both knees were denied, but separate ratings of 10 percent for recurrent subluxation of both knees were granted. Additionally, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's service connection for left elbow and shoulder disabilities is granted.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied. However, the veteran was granted a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and lumbosacral strain on and after February 8, 2018.

The Board granted an effective date of February 26, 2021 for service connection for PTSD and a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine strain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remanded all issues to the VA for further examination. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia will be considered.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for left hip and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, neck disability, and low back disability. The Board also dismissed claims related to educational assistance and radiculopathy.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that adequate medical opinions were not obtained.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. However, a separate 10 percent disability rating for genu recurvatum of the left knee was granted. The increased rating for the right knee disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was granted because it is secondary to their service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal to restore a 40 percent rating for right knee degenerative arthritis was granted, effective October 1, 2019. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) were also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise a 1993 rating decision but remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability and psychiatric conditions, as well as TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back issues and radiculopathy was denied. However, the effective date for a higher rating of bipolar II disorder was granted as December 6, 2018.

The Veteran's skin disability, including dermatitis, is granted as secondary to his service-connected carbuncles. The right knee disability and individual unemployability issues are remanded for further review.