Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms or a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions related to his back disability have been denied. The low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective November 16, 2022.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis prior to March 24, 2021 has not shown marked limited motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion), thus a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to outstanding treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service parachute jumping duties. Service connection for a left leg disability was denied as there was no evidence of such a disability.

The Veteran's back brace and bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing, specifically causing damage to shirts from the back brace and pants from the knee braces. The Board granted three annual clothing allowances for the 2021 calendar year based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine from August 23, 2013, to October 6, 2021 is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received from VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for osteoarthritis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria, and no extraschedular rating was granted. The Board found that the evidence did not establish he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for painful motion with flexion, and the Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for painful motion with flexion, and the Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected disabilities have been denied. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) at 40 percent, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) at 20 percent.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are granted restoration of a 10 percent disability rating, effective July 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's left shoulder condition is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284. The Veteran's post-surgical scar on his left foot does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction in rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, so this issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated noncompensable prior to June 7, 2021, and 30 percent thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for the period on appeal prior to June 7, 2021.,For the period from June 7, 2021, the Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for lateral instability of the left knee and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection on a direct basis.,Service connection for ED is remanded as secondary to PTSD. Service connection for headaches is also remanded as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified mood disorder has been granted, but the claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis as well as TDIU are being remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's mood disorder warrants a 70 percent rating, while his other conditions require further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that entitlement to service connection did not arise until a March 2018 independent medical examination.