Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased evaluations of 30 percent each, but no higher.

The Veteran's left shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis is denied service connection. The right shoulder AC joint arthritis and labral tear, lumbosacral spine degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 30 percent disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The VA examiners concluded that the veteran's degenerative arthritis was more likely due to aging and wear and tear rather than any incident during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate examination findings and the need for flare-up assessments.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it began during active service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is etiologically related to an in-service injury during military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with cervical strain is granted as service connected, and the Board finds that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether the Veteran's current neck disability began in service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 30 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis due to improper reduction and inadequate examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus, effective June 1, 2021, finding that there was no actual improvement in her condition to warrant a reduction.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an effective date prior to June 19, 2017, for a temporary evaluation of 100 percent based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for a lumbar spine disability. The issue was not properly before the Board due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, as his auditory thresholds do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the restoration of the effective date for service connection of left knee joint osteoarthritis with a meniscus tear, status post-arthroscopic surgery.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his service-connected right hip and left knee disabilities, as well as a right hip scar, is dismissed because the issues are already pending final adjudication by the Board.

The Board has restored the Veteran's lumbar strain rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective July 1, 2020. The medical evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, with a combined ROM of the thoracolumbar spine of 95 degrees. The rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.,Both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted effective July 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his cervical spine disability, GERD, and progressive muscular atrophy are related to his service-connected conditions or if they are aggravated by them. The VA is required to provide additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including IBS, left shoulder disability, knee disabilities, and varicose veins. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.