Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, tear, and osteoarthritis as well as right testicular hydrocele. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 29, 2020 for a 40 percent disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition worsened prior to his claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 22, 2017 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is a result of his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hip, right hip, cervical spine DDD with spinal stenosis, and RUE cervical radiculopathy have been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for GERD during the review period (from June 8, 2020, through October 23, 2020) has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to a failure of VA to obtain an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his knee disabilities, as well as GERD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if any of her conditions are associated with active duty or inactive duty training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete consideration of obesity as an intermediate step in the causal chain for service connection. The Veteran's left knee disability is associated with her obesity, which may be caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted due to continuity of symptoms since service. The claims for OSA and BPPV are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's service records show a high probability of noise exposure in an infantry battalion.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with dermatitis is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right index finger, comminuted fracture with degenerative arthritis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his heart condition related to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), have been granted. The heart claim is remanded due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis was denied. New evidence has been received, but it does not change the outcome.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and bilateral conjunctivitis were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, right knee status post ACL tear repair disorder, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no persuasive weight of the evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).,The appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,For her back disability, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating but the evidence does not support an increase beyond 40 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ring finger injury and remanded the issue of service connection for a minimal degenerative joint disease (neck disability). The Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service.