Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, and cervical strain based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for anxiety, PTSD, back disability, headaches, craniopharyngioma, and OSA have all been granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses are etiologically related to in-service stressors and events.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for low back disability was denied, and the effective date of service connection was also denied. The VA determined that a higher rating than 20 percent is not warranted based on the evidence showing forward flexion greater than 30 degrees.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and service connection for plantar fasciitis, and these issues have been dismissed.

Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.,The issue of service connection for sinusitis is dismissed as moot due to the VA RO's independent grant prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hip was granted due to new and relevant evidence submitted within 90 days of a hearing. The Board found that his current condition is etiologically related to his service-connected right hip condition.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal during his hearing, indicating satisfaction with his current benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints and corn removal surgery, but the August 2023 VA examiner did not consider this evidence in their opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional development due to a potential pre-decisional error in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied. The effective date of the increased rating from April 30, 2018, to August 15, 2019, is also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to assess his left shoulder disability, and an opinion on the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to request an opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's occupational functioning prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left ankle osteochondral defect due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the January 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues involved, including the need to consider additional evidence not previously considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion and spinal stenosis (claimed as back injury) and hernia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Both of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pes cavus conditions were remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. E.B.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 20% rating for his left ankle disability, finding that the reduction from 20% to 10% was proper based on improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was remanded.