Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in various lower back and nerve conditions have been denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2019, which did not address positive evidence of record.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as his incisional hernia secondary to residuals of colon cancer, are granted. The Veteran's residuals of colon cancer (to include status post partial colectomy) are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to incomplete STRs, inadequate VA medical opinions, and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's current foot conditions are being reviewed for a possible connection to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is proximately due to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is now rated at 40 percent effective March 7, 2018.,Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is now rated at 10 percent effective December 28, 2017.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic right groin problems, right big toe frostbite, left foot gout, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and lumbar spine arthritis have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of left knee disorder and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding scheduling a VA examination for mobility and transportation issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS were denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause, leading to a denial of these claims. The effective date claim was also remanded as it had not been addressed in the AOJ's decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5201 for limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as flexion and abduction are both measured from zero to 120 degrees in the August 2019 VA examination.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which is also the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5259 for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for her hip disabilities and vocal cord disorder, as well as her service connection claim for cervical spine disability. The Veteran withdrew her appeal in September 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist and chronic low back strain due to inadequate examination reports that did not address the Veteran's reported flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH), special home adaptation (SHA) grant, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to unclear extent of service-connected disabilities affecting daily activities.

The Veteran's left knee joint osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided is inadequate and requires further action, including obtaining additional service treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.