Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective dates for ratings and special monthly compensation due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine disorder status post spinal fusion and laminectomy, finding that his pre-existing low back injury was aggravated during a period of INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to procedural errors in the duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU from August 2018 to March 25, 2024, but his combined disability rating of 100% since then satisfies the requirement for SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities, and a new VA examination is needed to determine their likely etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not provide credible testimony regarding his in-service injury and subsequent symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, hallux rigidus, and osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected bunionectomy. The conditions are all found to have onset during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification of his service-connected knee and shoulder conditions, including a determination on whether his left shoulder condition is secondary to his right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's left shoulder condition is now subject to further development.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was remanded due to a legal error in the initial decision, as her other service-connected conditions also required personal care services. The Board found that the medical opinion did not adequately address these additional conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of VA examinations conducted in December 2018 and October 2019. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for another VA examination to address his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted based on a finding of continuity of lumbar spine pain symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions from a previous VA examination. The Veteran is advised that she should submit any additional evidence supporting her in-service experiences as the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, finding that his current lumbar spine disability is related to in-service low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the VA examination provided in July 2024 is internally inconsistent and requires further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine conditions are found to be related to service, while his right shoulder and knee conditions are not. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, lower back condition, and a right leg length discrepancy due to new evidence received after an August 2021 rating decision.