Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 30, 2025, for the award of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis and dextroscoliosis, as well as initial increased disability ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions, diabetes mellitus type II, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and headaches on a direct basis. The claim of secondary service connection for headaches is being remanded.,There was no in-service event, injury, or disease related to the Veteran's current back condition or headaches.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and left knee degenerative arthritis were not incurred during service, but the Veteran's gout was found to have begun during service.,Chronic kidney disease is denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis with limited flexion post repair were denied as he did not submit a claim within one year of the most recent rating decision, and thus is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity idiopathic autonomic neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis with impairment of clavicle/scapula.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining complete treatment records from Dr. Akin and Dr. Dolnick, and obtaining medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current back disability was caused by wear and tear during service or aggravation of a preexisting scoliosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of July 24, 2020 for service connection of degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine and related conditions, including radiculopathy right lower extremity. The decision is based on the submission of a valid Supplemental Claim.

The Veteran's back pain associated with degenerative arthritis began in service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, as well as bilateral pes planus. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to a post-service incident.

Service connection for MDS is granted, and a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected back disability is also granted. Other issues on appeal are resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and right knee strain due to errors in fulfilling the duty to assist. Additional medical records are needed, including those from Geisinger Orthopedics and Dr. Rasheed. The appellant also needs new examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound status is remanded due to errors in obtaining necessary medical records and failing to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including lateral collateral ligament sprain and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since January 14, 2021. The Board finds the VA medical examinations inadequate for review due to lack of addressing functional loss with repeated use over time and failure to assess whether stiffness causes ankylosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent.

The appeal as to the propriety of reducing disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis is granted. The appeals are remanded.