Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for chronic kidney disease and an increased rating for chronic epididymo-orchitis.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remands the case for additional examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including L5-S1 and C3-C7 degenerative disc disease, lumbar scoliosis, lumbar spondylosis/osteoarthritis, and spinal cord impingement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since October 26, 2018. An effective date of this day is granted for the award of TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The claims for lower back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The appeal for service connection of thoracic spine degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The issues of right hip disability and left hip disability are remanded.

The appellant's appeals for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for his right hand conditions have been dismissed due to the concurrent election of review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right hip pain and a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for a service-connected condition requiring convalescence. The AOJ needs to correct any pre-decisional duty to assist errors, particularly regarding the lack of medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right hip pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent since February 9, 1972. The Board has now granted a 100 percent rating for the entire period on appeal due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 7, 2020 for the Veteran's cervical strain disability rated at 30 percent.

Effective dates of June 6, 2014, and no earlier, have been granted for service connection for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis, cervical spine strain, degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to procedural errors in the initial rating decision. The AOJ is instructed to obtain adequate range of motion measurements for the lumbar spine disability, provide a VA examination regarding left foot/ankle instability, and adjudicate the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral pars defect (degenerative arthritis spondylolysis) as there is no evidence to support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, illness, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been granted, with the earliest effective date being September 22, 2020.,Earlier effective dates of September 20, 2020, were also granted for SMC housebound benefits and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is denied. The VA has assigned a 40 percent rating, which is the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and achilles tendonitis of both ankles are rated at 30 percent each, effective May 17, 2021.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain, is granted on a causation basis.,The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active duty service and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee conditions and radiculopathy in both lower extremities have been dismissed as withdrawn. A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, as there is conflicting evidence and opinions in the record.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including carrying heavy pack loads and flak jackets.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and degenerative arthritis disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Service connection was also granted for a scar status-post anterior cervical discectomy as secondary to his cervical spondylosis and degenerative arthritis disability. The claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to the Veteran not filing a timely VA Form 10182.