Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate information regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis are rated at 10 percent since October 25, 2011 until July 9, 2019.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent effective July 9, 2019.,The Veteran's acquired mental disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 31, 2013.,The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent effective July 9, 2019. The TDIU claim was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 28, 2014 for service connection of a painful surgical scar on her left knee and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis. The effective date was set at October 28, 2014 due to the Veteran's surgery that day. The Board found no earlier effective date as the evidence did not show entitlement arose prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip condition, left hip condition, and degenerative arthritis of the spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination and lack of medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.,Specifically, the right knee meniscal tear claim is being remanded because there are no addendum opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding an in-service injury. The left knee strain with PFPS and OSA claims are also being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee retro-patellar syndrome with osteoarthritis are both rated at 20 percent, effective July 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability, including conditions such as lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and lumbosacral strain, is related to his active duty service. The decision grants service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his residual lumbosacral spine scar was denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 24, 2021 for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were granted.

The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on interincisal range or lateral excursion.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not show functional or literal ankylosis of the right wrist and the rating schedule adequately contemplates his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hand degenerative arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by him and his authorized representative.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica, each rated at 10 percent effective September 30, 2020.,The Veteran was also granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, each rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition, as it is unclear whether the condition is related to his military service or if it is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ needs to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right total hip arthroplasty as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his limitations on walking, sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, and sleep disturbances.

The Board has denied service connection for pilonidal cyst and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbago.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to active service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed to consider the lay statements and other evidence submitted in connection with his Supplemental Claim and Higher-Level Review Request.