Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) — all decisions

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating, service connection as secondary to a back disability, TDIU, and SMC due to the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine based on the Veteran's limited range of motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remanded the case regarding a $9,252.41 debt issued to the Veteran after a rating decision granted service connection for various right knee conditions and assigned a temporary 100 percent evaluation. The Veteran disputes whether the debt represents an overpayment or retroactive pay, and the Board found the Veteran was not adequately notified of the specific basis for the alleged debt.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, mental health, and lower extremity disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation effective January 1, 2015, but no earlier. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability is not warranted.

The Board restored the 50% rating for headaches and the 30% rating for a cervical spine disability, as the reductions were improper. The claims for service connection for OSA, a higher rating for allergic rhinitis, and a sinus disorder are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to untimely filings or lack of jurisdiction over deferred claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability as there were duty to assist errors prior to the May 2025 rating decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, including loss of the sense of smell, urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson's disease, among others.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder osteoarthritis, denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, and remanded the claim for a low back disability as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, left and right hip pain, right knee degenerative arthritis, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, while remanding the claims for lumbosacral strain and plantar fasciitis of the left and right foot.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings of generalized anxiety disorder, right shoulder strain with AC joint osteoarthritis and AC joint separation, clavicle and/or scapula impairment, and tinnitus.

The Board granted an effective date of January 21, 2022, for the award of service connection for PTSD and a rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) effective December 20, 2022.