Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is a link between his in-service injuries and the current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn her appeal on all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation and degenerative joint disease, as well as cervical osteoarthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for malignant neoplasm of the colon due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 10 percent for the period prior to June 26, 2019 and at 20 percent beginning on that date. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.,For the appeal period beginning on June 26, 2019, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at a 40 percent disability, effective from August 31, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for his back condition, effective from the date of the withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and right knee disability manifested by pain, both secondary to service-connected left knee chondromalacia. The decision is based on a finding that there is approximately even evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle joint, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to a previous injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left foot strain due to conflicting medical evidence regarding current diagnoses and functional impairment.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is not rated higher than 10% based on limitation of flexion, and the left knee strain is not rated higher than 10%. The hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.,The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as it is presumed to be related to military noise exposure during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as not related to service. The rating for gout, degenerative arthritis, and calcaneal spur of the left foot remains at 30 percent. Sleep apnea is granted with a 50 percent rating prior to June 22, 2020, but denied for higher ratings. Service connection for chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the left hip due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and because of duty to assist errors. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began in service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee, and left knee are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of fracture, middle third, left clavicle is granted. The claim for folliculitis remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. Other claims are either granted or remanded.