Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure (cardiac disorder), lumbar spine disorders, hip disorders, and knee disorders. The Board found that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hand and left hand, finding that the Veteran's prolonged use of a cane due to his service-connected knees and right ankle disabilities caused or aggravated his bilateral hand osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied. The Board also remanded the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis of other joints, including neck, shoulders, left hip, hands, and feet, are related to his service-connected conditions. The claims for these conditions have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis have been granted. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record and remands several issues for further review, including service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a now service-connected back disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also considered service connected.,The decision does not specify any particular exposure basis or indicate that the appeal was related to the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 22, 2018.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is granted as service connection was established due to aggravation during active service.,Service connection for a low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending again with the possibility of obtaining updated VA treatment records and rescheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Gulf War Syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS was granted effective April 17, 2017. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted and denied her request for increased ratings throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine receiving a 40% rating since October 17, 2016, and the radiculopathies receiving 20% ratings for RLE and LLE prior to February 6, 2020.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD with strain prior to August 13, 2021. The matter of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 40 percent from that date is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including degenerative arthritis and hallux valgus with first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis, status post bunionectomy, is granted an increased rating of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2021. The left foot disability remains pending for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, effective June 24, 2012.