Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder tendinosis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, neck arthritis, LUE nerve disability as secondary to service-connected neck arthritis, and RUE nerve disability as secondary to service-connected neck arthritis.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the evidence of record showing a current disability that is related to in-service injury or events.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is remanded due to a lack of relevant documentation in his STRs and post-service treatment records, which may affect the determination of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right knee strain due to pre-existing duty to assist errors. The VA clinician is requested to provide opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for a back condition, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities in the aggregate render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

Effective dates of June 20, 2020, but not earlier, have been granted for the awards of various disability ratings due to osteoarthritis and chronic kidney disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 30, 2022, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable within one year prior to his formal TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors. The Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for his left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for his left distal fibular fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease was denied in March 2015. The Board found that the earliest effective date allowed under law is May 3, 2016, when the Veteran filed a new claim for his back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury and whether it is caused or aggravated by service-connected right knee disabilities. The VA must obtain a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, right foot degenerative arthritis, and left foot calcaneal enthesophyte as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 8, 2024 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence and obtain an addendum medical opinion from the September 2020 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left hip disability have been restored to their previous ratings of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective March 7, 2022.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 21, 2014 has been remanded. Her DEA eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits is also pending an earlier effective date determination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for right index finger degenerative arthritis, but denied the claim itself due to a finding that the disability was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 30, 2022 for the Veteran's service connection claims related to left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and right hip osteoarthritis with labrum tear.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,Service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine arthritis is granted.,Service connection for left and right ankle strain, right shoulder strain, and left and right hip strain are all granted.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,Service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine arthritis is granted.,Service connection for left and right ankle strain, right shoulder strain, and left and right hip strain are all granted.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,Service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his IVDS with degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board has remanded the issue due to procedural issues and potential new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand posttraumatic arthritis and right hand degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand and knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence in STRs or current treatment records, and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, effective from April 16, 2022. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current diagnoses.