Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for statutory housebound due to service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The combined rating is at least 100 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating reductions for lateral instability of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the right knee, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine are granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to burn pits during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee condition are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining nexus opinions and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for right knee disability was denied as his symptoms did not warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 10, 2022 was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing he could not secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or other factors. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for right knee rheumatoid arthritis and increased ratings for related conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis of the back with degenerative arthritis, to include associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to an inadequate examination.,An examination by an appropriate clinician must be scheduled to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities.,Both the VA examiner and Dr. M.T. provided opinions linking the hip conditions to the Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, vertigo, sinusitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, coronary artery disease, plantar fasciitis, hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the claims for service connection for vertigo as secondary to tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left hip/thigh is granted, with a rating of 100% effective from the date of her January 2025 Supplemental Claim.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right foot disability, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for degenerative arthritis of the spine with scoliosis prior to October 27, 2023, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals seeking initial ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome; lumbosacral strain; sacroiliac weakness; sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as it was granted in a separate appeal.,Service connection is granted for a back disability, with continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's bladder cancer is found to be secondary to his service-connected genital herpes.

The Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, started during service and continues to the present. The Veteran's tension headaches are related to his back condition. Service connection is granted for both conditions.