Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, effective May 1, 2024, as his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities combined to meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disability and related radiculopathies have been granted with effective dates of February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain/degenerative arthritis resulted in limitation of forward flexion to 25 degrees, and a 40 percent disability evaluation was granted. The claims for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), headaches, chronic sinusitis, and dermatitis were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left ankle conditions, as well as right and left knee conditions, are remanded due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the August 2020 rating decision did not constitute an initial decision under the AMA and remained in the Legacy review system.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot pain, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, degenerative arthritis, and hammer toes. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings effective November 19, 2020. The effective date for the service connection of these conditions is also set at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records, requiring further examination and review.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic renal disease, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis and the medication prescribed for those disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability received a 20 percent rating from April 17, 2007 to January 28, 2011. From January 29, 2011 onwards, the Veteran received a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion provided in the June 2021 rating decision is inadequate and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear and left knee degenerative arthritis, both dating back to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis (neck disability) and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis (left shoulder disability), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's periods of federalized National Guard service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective May 14, 2013.

The appeals concerning various disabilities and benefits have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot osteoarthritis and chronic hyperlipidemia have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings and restoration of ratings for knee conditions have been dismissed due to his death.