Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis and post-traumatic degeneration of the joints as secondary to a service-connected disability was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received, thus denying the application to reopen the previously denied claim. For lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome, the Veteran's initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, and right knee. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and somatic symptom disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome L4-L5, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis limitation of flexion, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis, limitation of flexion, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right wrist sprain. The Veteran's bilateral eye condition, eczema, left foot ring-toe condition, and sinusitis have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for joint conditions including arthritis due to a lack of an adequate etiological opinion. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hernia residuals with scarring was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hip disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for the right hip and 30 percent for the left hip.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, to include arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain, and psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 28, 2021 and at 60 percent since December 1, 2022. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee arthritis disability from October 31, 2008 to December 24, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent disability evaluation effective October 20, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 19, 2009 did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are chronic and continuous since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.