Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder as due to a service-connected left knee disability, finding that his unsupported lay statements concerning a post-service fall down the stairs in 1996 resulting in a left shoulder injury are not credible and do not establish an etiological link between his service-connected left knee disability and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis prior to December 12, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also REMANDED.

The Veteran's right shoulder ACL joint osteoarthritis and left shoulder strain have been granted increased ratings of 40% and 30%, respectively, effective March 9, 2020. The Veteran is also now eligible for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, effective from December 23, 2021. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to obtain necessary evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim for low back disability is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a prior VA examination not being adequate, and it is unclear if the Veteran's cervical spine disability was incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and low back pain with spinal stenosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date for the TDIU is April 5, 2021.

The Veteran's back disability is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

New and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the previously denied claims for dermatitis of both arms and trunk, diagnosed xerosis and right hand disability, characterized as osteoarthritis. The Veteran's skin condition had its onset during service.,The Veteran presented new evidence regarding his left hand disability, characterized as osteoarthritis. New and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the previously denied claim for this issue.,Service connection is granted for dermatitis of both arms and trunk, diagnosed xerosis. The claims for right hand and left hand disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance is denied because the evidence does not show that he required regular aid and attendance prior to May 21, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 11, 2020. The rating for LLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. Ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent are granted for right knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability, respectively, both effective August 11, 2020. No ratings in excess of the current ones are granted for left distal fibula fracture and residuals of stress fracture, right distal radius fracture residuals, or left foot painful scar and scar.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to June 28, 2021 due to uncertainty in the VA examiner's statement regarding the impact of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy on sedentary employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bursitis, and residuals of arthroscopic labral and rotator cuff repair. The decision is based on direct service connection due to onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for spondylosis with diffuse degenerative arthritis and multilevel degenerative disc disease is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and any toxic exposure during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and internal derangement of the left knee with osteoarthritis, status-post total knee replacement. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease with suprapatellar effusion, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.