Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD qualifies for a TDIU and SMC, while other conditions are rated appropriately. The appeal is denied for higher ratings in several cases.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity is granted as August 24, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the lack of a valid claim prior to February 23, 2021.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right knee disability is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, right knee and left knee disabilities are each granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings was denied. The initial rating for somatic symptom disorder remains at 50 percent, right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10%, and left knee instability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeals for service connection of various foot and shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine conditions as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus due to inadequate opinions addressing aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disorders and low back disorder, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board found that the combined effects of these conditions made it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and bilateral Morton's neuroma.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as moot due to a March 2025 rating decision that granted service connection for other specified trauma and other stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder, effective May 2, 2024. The lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy claims are remanded.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the August 2020 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 22, 2024 are denied. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy effective November 15, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and tinnitus. The claims for right elbow, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to a lack of medical opinions addressing their onset during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, right ankle, and left ankle conditions. The claim for service connection of left hand osteoarthritis is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any diagnosed condition is related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his disability ratings for cervical spine conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.