Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination and opinion in response to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. The RO must schedule an examination and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disorder is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 5, 2019 for the service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as low back injury), left lower radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). These decisions are subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis, cervical spine (claimed as neck injury with degenerative joint and disc disease) because the Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability due to a finality issue. The claim for TDIU is remanded as it is intertwined with the spine rating claim.

The Board has dismissed appeals for higher ratings in several conditions, including PTSD, left foot disability, right foot disability, and service connection for knee and ankle disabilities. The appeal of the claim for vertigo is remanded due to a lack of an examination prior to decision.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining claims have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DDD of L3-4 with DJD of the lumbar spine is granted.,An initial rating of 30 percent for residuals of vestibular neuritis is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings, finding that an earlier effective date is not warranted based on the September 1, 2022 intent to file form received by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to deficiencies in previous opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The issues of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as hidradenitis suppurativa, are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The claims for service connection for residuals of a right total hip arthroplasty with degenerative arthritis and left hip disability are remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The Board finds that VA's duty to assist requires obtaining medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and the need for a new VA examination to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee condition have been remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his periods of active duty and Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is proximately due to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for anemia was denied, while the claims for anxiety disorder, right knee osteoarthritis, and GERD resulted in a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied as the criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal disorder, kidney stones, skin disorders, pseudogout, anemia, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Guam or its territorial waters from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.