Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's request for an extension of the temporary total disability rating for his right knee replacement is denied because the medical evidence does not support severe postoperative residuals or major joint immobilization.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and reduction of disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal from appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's right knee disability caused his left knee strain and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine/lumbosacral strain was denied as a matter of law due to her failure to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, has been granted a 40 percent rating since November 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, migraines, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from September 11, 2014 to January 15, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left elbow osteoarthritis is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of arthritis within one year of separation and the condition developed decades after service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have not been characterized by significant functional impairment, and the current ratings for her right and left knee conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left foot disability was denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition, which includes healed fracture with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a back injury in service or any diagnosed condition related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder tendinosis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, neck arthritis, LUE nerve disability as secondary to service-connected neck arthritis, and RUE nerve disability as secondary to service-connected neck arthritis.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the evidence of record showing a current disability that is related to in-service injury or events.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is remanded due to a lack of relevant documentation in his STRs and post-service treatment records, which may affect the determination of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right knee strain due to pre-existing duty to assist errors. The VA clinician is requested to provide opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for a back condition, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities in the aggregate render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

Effective dates of June 20, 2020, but not earlier, have been granted for the awards of various disability ratings due to osteoarthritis and chronic kidney disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 30, 2022, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable within one year prior to his formal TDIU claim.