Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, and IVDS was granted with an effective date of March 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her lower back disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and the effective dates were granted based on continuous pursuit of claims since May 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain (previously diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine) and allergic rhinitis, finding that both conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 30% rating from September 18, 2019, to April 6, 2021. Prior to this period, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle sprain, and left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, and right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to adjudicate these claims in light of the additional evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes, so a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for various knee conditions have been dismissed due to their passing during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by lateral collateral ligament sprain and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since January 27, 2021. The Board finds that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted due to marked limitation of motion throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination addressing the theories of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral wrist nerve condition, bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, back condition, right shoulder clavicle disability, and left elbow condition have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities of the claimed conditions.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis on the basis that these conditions worsened during active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing disability for VA compensation purposes. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss must be denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and a TDIU prior to July 9, 2008 are being remanded due to procedural errors in the evidence considered by the AOJ. The AOJ is instructed to correct these errors and consider any relevant evidence not previously considered.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right hip have all been granted due to chronic disease presumptive service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various conditions, including major depressive disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot degenerative arthritis with plantar calcaneal spur and fragment at the periphery of the first interphalangeal joint, flat foot, hammertoes, and hallux valgus is dismissed as his claim has been fully granted. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle status post scope and talus microfracture is denied.