Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that this condition was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his cervical spine disorder is remanded due to the AOJ failing to provide an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced pain during Airborne training in service and has had these conditions since then.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shin splints, but the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is not granted as service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is not granted as service-connected.,Right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is not granted as service-connected.,Left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is not granted as service-connected.,Left hip arthritis is not granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to his parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right 4th finger disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional information regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of February 1, 2019. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 7, 2015 for the service connection of bilateral flat foot with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with shin splints, right knee strain with shin splints, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the prior final denial warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right knee condition. The Veteran's tinnitus and asthma claims are denied, while her request to reopen her right knee condition claim is granted and remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a back condition and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of her disability status.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left hip strain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back condition) on a presumptive basis due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to the specified degree necessary for the award of adaptive equipment, scar formation resulting from severe burn injury, or ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is denied eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU prior to November 20, 2018 are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ will obtain relevant private hospital records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death.

The reduction of the rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective December 9, 2020, was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for his lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that no such claim was submitted prior to October 13, 2010.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination and rating determination regarding his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for left and right knee surgical scars, as well as his claims for higher ratings for various knee and hip disabilities, have been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.