Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand condition was denied in the October 2015 Board decision, which became final. The denial of his left hand condition claim also made it final. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hands is set at December 22, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. These conditions are related to in-service injuries sustained during active duty.,All four bilateral ankle and lower extremity conditions were diagnosed during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his June 2017 injury during active duty training.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning October 4, 2011. The claim for a TDIU prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are all found to be related to his military service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for hemorrhoids is not being readjudicated as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of current diagnoses. The claims for musculoskeletal-neck/upper back (cervical spine), nerve paralysis, and degenerative arthritis of the back are remanded as there were no medical opinions provided regarding their etiology.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 3, 2021. After that date, his combined permanent and total schedular rating does not allow for additional TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his left shoulder disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 1, 2020, and restoring it back to 40 percent has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in the May 2024 rating decision. The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is being remanded for an examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The appellant's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and meniscectomy residuals, is rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period. The rating for limitation of flexion remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his military service.,A rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to February 1, 2021, is granted. The Veteran's PFB was treated with systemic therapy including corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for right knee traumatic arthritis is denied, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral foot condition, as it was not adequately addressed in previous VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ/RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left groin injury (claimed as left thigh muscle stain/pull), and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected, with a 40% rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy effective March 20, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip total arthroplasty, right knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis, and left knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis, all of which are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute injury.