Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of spine and IVDS with right-sided radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current back disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.,VA examinations were not provided for the Veteran's hip, low back, and knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is granted. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires additional opinions to determine if the Veteran's foot conditions were caused or aggravated by her military service.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities manifested by pain.,Service connection is also granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and total knee replacement residuals is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA examination and clinical documentation. The Veteran has not waived initial review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Board found no evidence to support a claim that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder was caused by a fall while receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center of Beckley, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is granted. The claims for a left knee disability and a left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including those related to the left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and aggravation of existing conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions to estimate the amount of range of motion lost due to pain in both weightbearing and non-weight bearing positions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the record and need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to obtain suitable employment with his additional service-connected disabilities. The VRC is instructed to provide a supplemental opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's left hip and left ankle disabilities are related to service, including considering whether they may be due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, but the issues of service connection for headaches (migraines), stomach disorder, and right toenail disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that her current degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the left knee is related to her military service. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran due to the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an effective date of February 28, 2006 for service connection for lumbar spine disability and TDIU, DEA eligibility, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, but the issue of service connection for hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar is granted.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee disability is set at January 21, 2011. The earlier requested effective date is denied.