Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

An effective date of December 8, 2009 is granted for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine.,An effective date of December 5, 2017 is granted for the grant of service connection for sciatica of right lower extremity.,No earlier effective date is granted for the grant of service connection for sciatica of left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right shoulder, left hip, or right knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for service connection, including cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, headaches, ear, nose and throat (ENT) disability, hypertension, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and seek expert opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is related to her service-connected right total knee arthroplasty residuals, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the back have been granted service connection.,An increased rating for left wrist strain is denied.

Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability. Service connection for right knee condition, as secondary to the left knee disability, is remanded.

The Board has found that the VA Regional Office (RO) committed pre-decisional duty to assist errors and requires remand for obtaining private medical records related to the Veteran's right knee and hip surgeries, as well as an addendum opinion regarding whether these disabilities are aggravated by her service-connected lower back disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and internal derangement, is currently rated at 10 percent. The separate ratings for meniscal tear (20%) and moderate instability (20%) are granted effective September 23, 2013, and February 24, 2020 respectively.,The Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating as the flexion limitation is at most 70 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5260.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected residuals of right ankle sprain, left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis of the great toe status post bunionectomy, and right foot hallux valgus with bunions. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's current back disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is now rated at 60 percent effective February 6, 2020. The Board also granted a TDIU as of that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's passing, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The appeal as to entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right hand radiculopathy is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from December 25, 2006 to May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating criteria for a TDIU, and his unemployability is due to his chronic pain conditions. The Board grants TDIU from September 15, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal to revise the December 2005 rating decisions for his shoulder disabilities and depressive disorder was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal, and no new evidence or relevant service records were submitted within the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical conditions, including knee, hip, and back issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use of any lower extremity or upper extremity, and thus he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and tinnitus, but granted service connection for HSV. The low back disorder claim was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in a prior decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity numbness, left lower extremity numbness, right wrist disability, strain of the left quadriceps, degenerative arthritis of the right hand, a disability of the left foot, low back disability, deformity of the left foot, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.