Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, limitation of extension is denied. Entitlement to psychiatric disorder (borderline personality disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate due to its failure to consider the ameliorative effects of medication on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the grant of service connection and the subsequent denial of an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis and anterolisthesis C4 on C5, but remanded the issues of service connection for an eye disability (including pinguecula, dry eye syndrome, and hypertensive retinopathy) and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all service connection issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal, and thus the claims for increased ratings are dismissed.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 12, 2024 for the housebound allowance due to a completed claim submitted on that day. The decision also acknowledges the need for aid and attendance or permanent need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service and no evidence of onset within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 30 percent for residuals of shrapnel, right shoulder is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post rotator cuff repair is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for glenohumeral joint degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service and have persisted since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for a labral tear, including SLAP, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and glenohumeral joint dislocation status post right shoulder labral repair with a remplissage procedure. The decision finds that the Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder condition was aggravated by his service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, diagnosed as status post left shoulder total arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis of the left glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints. The temporary total rating for post-surgical convalescence is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to her service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to in-service events or injuries, including any aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The claim will be reconsidered with an adequate medical examination and opinion.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and hypertrophic gastritis.,Obstructive sleep apnea service connection is denied. Service connection for TBI and CFS are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to schedule an examination for the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The request to readjudicate the left knee and right testicle disability claims is granted, but the low back disability claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the September 2020 rating decision granting service connection for the Veteran's back condition and assigning a 10 percent disability rating is inadequate due to an incomplete medical examination report. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination to assess the nature and severity of the Veteran's back condition, with particular attention to estimated range of motion during flare-ups.