Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain is denied. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain is also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for these claims are inadequate and remands them to obtain new evaluations. The Veteran's right knee conditions, including meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis and instability, as well as his right wrist sprain with nonunion of styloid process fracture and left wrist sprain with post-traumatic arthritis, require further assessment.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service connected.,His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected back condition. The issue of polyuria and proteinuria (urinary condition) is remanded for further review.,Service connection for polyuria and proteinuria as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 3, 2019 was not productive of total occupational and social impairment.,On or after April 3, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective January 6, 2021, based on VA treatment records indicating symptoms warranting a 70 percent evaluation. The Board found no evidence of an earlier increase in disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 30 percent effective February 3, 2022, based on a VA examination showing symptoms warranting the increase. The Board found no indication of an earlier ascertainable worsening.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder (non-dominant), and non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation were denied. The claim for left knee instability was granted with an effective date of January 12, 2007.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal and no new relevant evidence received within the applicable period.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 24, 2020 for the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran submitted a complete application within one year of his intent to file form.

Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is granted. The remaining claims of increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 AOJ supplemental claim decision on appeal, but any evidence submitted after that date will be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional right shoulder disability resulting from treatment at a VA medical center in March 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the low back is rated at 20 percent, and his right total knee replacement residuals are rated at 60 percent. The ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pneumonia, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, neck disorder, osteopenia of the bilateral hands, wrists, hips, ankles and feet, and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine has been denied. The Board found no current disability related to any of these conditions at the time of filing or during the pendency of his claim.,The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service injuries were not credible due to a significant lapse in time between service and post-service medical treatment, as well as inconsistencies with contemporaneous records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes in the right and left ankles, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The disability ratings have been increased to 20 percent effective October 31, 2013.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from November 1, 2016, to March 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted.,A compensable (10%) rating for right knee patella tendon repair scar prior to September 16, 2020 is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon repair scar from September 16, 2020 is denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon tear with degenerative joint disease is denied. On and after June 3, 2021, a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2022. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one-year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 10% evaluation for hypertension and a 30% evaluation for cervical myositis with cervical spine spondylosis, but the maximum benefits are not granted.