Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral knee osteoarthritis, bilateral degenerative meniscus, and left knee parameniscal cyst are related to his in-service symptoms. The decision is based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, is related to her active service.,The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is secondary to her now service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a 10 percent initial rating for osteoarthritis, right hip and left hip were granted effective March 23, 2022. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date was December 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claims to establish service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a right knee strain. The issue of instability of the left knee is remanded for further adjudication.,The Veteran's appeal to establish service connection for left knee instability is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The issues include respiratory condition, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The claim for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied in the August 2022 rating decision. New and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate this claim.,New and relevant evidence has been received for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, warranting readjudication of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left leg injury, to include degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for residuals of left leg injury, to include degenerative arthritis is denied.,Service connection for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability due to issues with compliance and substantial compliance, as well as failure to address relevant evidence of functional loss. The case is also being remanded for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left hip disability and service connection for psychiatric disabilities and drug addiction is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic right thigh, hip, and/or groin disorder due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination and the Veteran's claims regarding her service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder are denied. Service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is granted with a separate 20 percent rating for instability. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of her symptoms throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee conditions has been denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and instability prior to February 28, 2022, and the current 20 percent rating for instability have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to toxic substances and stressor events. The cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of spine disability has been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 21, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. His claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was remanded due to insufficient opinions from VA examiners.