Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board also denied service connection for a brain injury with memory issues (brain injury) and balance problems.

The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 10 percent from March 17, 2001, and the Board finds that a rating more than 10 percent is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all five claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in June 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 25, 2015. The Board finds that an effective date of March 11, 2017 is warranted for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for an award of SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, and lumbosacral strain. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from August 25, 2008. The effective date for TDIU is established based on the earliest claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, while the effective date for DEA benefits is set to match the TDIU grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability were granted in October 2022. However, the Veteran failed to perfect an appeal for these issues under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for an increased rating and his request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficiently rationalized medical opinions and a need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection due to an inadequate VA examination and lack of medical rationale.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded.,The initial rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion is denied, as the motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for bilateral shin splints. The decision on left knee osteoarthritis is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders are proximately due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically obesity as an intermediate step. As such, these conditions have been granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the appeal was not timely filed under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee strain, meniscal tear, and osteoarthritis. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, leaving only the TDIU appeal which was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis due to outstanding STRs not being obtained.