Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has already decided the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis prior to October 26, 2021. The case is dismissed as there is no longer a justiciable issue before the Board.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to October 30, 2014. From December 1, 2015, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating for his post-total knee arthroplasty.,Left knee instability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to October 30, 2014. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic attacks is rated at 70 percent since February 25, 2011.,The Veteran received a TDIU rating from February 25, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal stenosis, and scoliosis due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current low back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and IVDS was initially rated at 20 percent, but he seeks a higher rating. The RO failed to obtain a contemporaneous VA examination prior to assigning this rating, which constitutes a duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 2019 for a 20 percent rating for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and associated right upper extremity and left upper extremity radiculopathy has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied, and his claims for TDIU prior to September 21, 2018 are also denied. His TDIU from September 21, 2018 is moot due to the grant of SMC at the S-1 level.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, as well as for clarification on conflicting findings regarding ankylosis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and right hand, middle finger condition due to incomplete consideration of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back condition.

Your claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of unspecified anxiety disorder, left shoulder strain to include degenerative arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been dismissed as the Veteran is already in receipt of these benefits from October 1, 2005.,Your claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left foot Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia has also been dismissed. You are currently receiving this benefit since October 1, 2005.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability, right knee disabilities (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), and left knee disabilities have been denied. The appeals are based on the severity of these conditions without any indication of service connection through a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's neck and upper back disabilities, as well as her left upper extremity radiculopathy, are granted service connection.,However, the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder condition do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination report, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating of more than 30 percent since October 1, 2019, for his right shoulder disorder is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The appeals for service connection claims related to degenerative arthritis of the spine, residuals of broken left ankle, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and a scar from right knee arthroscopy. The appeals are dismissed.