Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were remanded due to incomplete or unclear records, particularly regarding the timing of his service connection requests.

The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors in the right and left wrist issues, as well as the right hand or fingers tendonitis issue. These errors include obtaining medical opinions prior to the relevant rating decisions on appeal.,The Veteran's service connection claims for his wrists and hands have been remanded due to a lack of adequate rationale regarding whether his conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis, and bilateral knee disabilities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of April 29, 2023. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis left wrist status-post fusion with residual scar was dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been granted. The issue of TDIU is being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and concluding that his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and stenosis of the spine has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and insomnia were denied initial ratings greater than the assigned percentages. The Board also found that service connection for a respiratory condition, PTSD, high blood pressure, GERD, digestive disability other than GERD, right ankle condition, right knee condition, and lumbosacral strain was not established.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability and insomnia were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been remanded multiple times, and as a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and restoration of disability ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the claims have been fully granted with effective dates assigned.

The Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical degenerative disc disease and cervical loss of disc height, is granted. The right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, back disability (lumbar degenerative disc disease, multi-level spondylolisthesis, lumbar loss of disc height, and lumbar degenerative scoliosis), right knee osteoarthritis status post ACL tear repair, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee scar are all granted.,The Veteran's neck disability is linked to his service in the United States Navy, including high impact repetitive activities like running, jumping, squatting, and leaning forward with head down for use of scope. The back disability is related to his years of duty serving in the Navy, as well.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disability, finding that it began during active service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical opinion regarding the severity of her conditions without medication, and whether she experiences recurrent subluxation or persistent instability.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 3, 2018 for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and tension headaches. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings or additional disabilities are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 4, 2020, for the award of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is also remanded to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.D.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, nor does he have a service-connected disability individually ratable at 100 percent or be factually housebound. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, neck condition, osteoarthritis left shoulder, osteoarthritis right shoulder, hypertension, low back condition, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence of these conditions during his military service or post-service. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of back and neck disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, sleep apnea, sciatic radicular pain of the right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran.