Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since June 17, 2020. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings and service connection for various knee conditions, nerve damage, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, migraines, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and corneal scar, right eye (right eye disability) have been denied.,The earliest effective dates available under the applicable law for these awards are February 11, 2019, for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, and migraine headaches; January 22, 2014, for corneal scar, right eye (right eye disability).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis with IVDS status-post repair of the thoracolumbar spine, and he does not meet the criteria for service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of limitation to less than 60 degrees of forward flexion or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees. The right hip/femur disabilities were separately rated as 20 and 10 percent.,The Veteran's right knee strain was not evaluated for a higher rating, and the right hip scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, right-hand and left-hand osteoarthritis, and gastrointestinal disability due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a challenge regarding the competency of the September 2020 VA examiner. The Board requests that the AOJ provide the Veteran and his representative with a copy of the examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar and right knee disorders, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied because no new and relevant evidence was received within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability was granted a rating of more than 50 percent from January 31, 2020 to February 7, 2021. The thoracolumbar spine disability received a 40 percent rating during the same period and the cervical spine disability was denied a higher rating. TDIU was granted effective January 31, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps and progression over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the spine (lumbar spine) as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on forward flexion or combined range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal. The claim for increased rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claim must be remanded to obtain a new VA opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of various joints due to insufficient medical opinions addressing relevant STRs and lay statements.