Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg joint condition, including osteoarthritis of the right knee and/or hip, as secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain disability.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but has remanded the issues regarding bilateral femoral neuritis and service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee disorder, finding that it did not begin during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board determined that the post-service injury in 1999 was the cause of his current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right bicipital tendon tear, right rotator cuff tendinitis, and AC right shoulder joint osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are attributable to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in July 1971.

Service connection for a respiratory disability is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for left elbow, insomnia (claimed as mental health disorder), and gastrointestinal disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder are denied. A temporary total evaluation due to right elbow surgery is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that it is etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a different examiner regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the Veteran's diagnosis and symptomatology, as well as to determine which impairment is attributable to each condition. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right-hand wound and TDIU prior to November 23, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it was aggravated by falls resulting from his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (l) based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, associated atrophy of the right deltoid muscle, atrophy of the right biceps muscle, and paresthesias of the right median nerve distribution.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted on an aggravation basis, and his left knee osteoarthritis is granted. The right knee meniscal tear is granted with a 30% disability rating, subject to flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current arthritis is related to her military service and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for the medial meniscus tear is granted.,An initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examination reports and potential worsening of symptoms. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to higher ratings on an extraschedular basis for right and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, as well as right and left foot scarring status post bunionectomy. This dismissal is due to the Veteran's grant of a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain with chondrocalcinosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee conditions was granted, with a final rating of 30 percent for the entire period on appeal. The decision includes separate ratings for limitation of flexion (10%), limitation of extension (10%), and instability (10%).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition, prostate cancer, and reflux esophagitis have been remanded.