Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, cervical spine arthritis, and right hip arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of exposure to herbicides in Korea and equipment handling in Vietnam, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records from her primary care provider and chiropractor.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 21, 2020 for the service connection of various conditions including left quad tendon tear, major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, surgical scar, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine status post C5-C7 ACDF with residual IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and residual neck scar. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's timely filed claims within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 3, 2017. He was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 20, 2017, for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis with strain and meniscus tear. The decision found that the claim was continuously pursued from this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sphincter impairment, a skin rash, left shoulder degenerative arthritis with tendinitis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sinusitis/rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a depressive disorder and shoulder and knee conditions, effectively preclude him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions and issues, including PTSD, right foot joint osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, pilonidal cyst, presbyopia, allergic rhinitis, and cataracts. The effective dates for benefits were also not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for IVDS with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left leg radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection effective July 12, 2016. His right and left knee disabilities were also granted service connection effective January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition, including a labral tear and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding its onset during full-time National Guard duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with spondylosis Schmorl's node, lumbar spine with thoracic degenerative disc disease, as secondary to his service-connected right femur stress fracture.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee conditions, as well as his posttraumatic stress disorder with somatic symptom disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various shoulder and cervical spine conditions as they have been granted within a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as his conditions allow for some mobility and he is able to perform many daily activities with assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right foot conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between her current diagnoses and her active-duty service.