Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 25, 2017 and May 30, 2018 for left total knee replacement and right hip scar, respectively, are denied. The claim for extension of a temporary total rating beyond July 1, 2018 is also denied. A compensable rating for the right hip scar is not granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability are also REMANDED.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a reduction in rating from 100 percent to 30 percent for shoulder degenerative arthritis, status-post reverse total shoulder replacement because the decision was not a final agency action and thus could not be appealed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the hands and wrists, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from December 29, 2020 to August 1, 2022. The Board has remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates have been granted for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and sleep apnea (OSA), but not for tinnitus.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2010 for the Veteran's service connection for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and a fracture of the middle/long finger of the left hand.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including rescheduling of VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's request for an extension of the temporary total disability rating for his right knee replacement is denied because the medical evidence does not support severe postoperative residuals or major joint immobilization.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and reduction of disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal from appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's right knee disability caused his left knee strain and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine/lumbosacral strain was denied as a matter of law due to her failure to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, has been granted a 40 percent rating since November 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, migraines, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from September 11, 2014 to January 15, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left elbow osteoarthritis is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of arthritis within one year of separation and the condition developed decades after service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have not been characterized by significant functional impairment, and the current ratings for her right and left knee conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left foot disability was denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition, which includes healed fracture with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a back injury in service or any diagnosed condition related to service.