Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings effective November 19, 2020. The effective date for the service connection of these conditions is also set at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records, requiring further examination and review.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic renal disease, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis and the medication prescribed for those disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability received a 20 percent rating from April 17, 2007 to January 28, 2011. From January 29, 2011 onwards, the Veteran received a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion provided in the June 2021 rating decision is inadequate and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear and left knee degenerative arthritis, both dating back to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis (neck disability) and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis (left shoulder disability), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's periods of federalized National Guard service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective May 14, 2013.

The appeals concerning various disabilities and benefits have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot osteoarthritis and chronic hyperlipidemia have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings and restoration of ratings for knee conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's ratings for DDD, thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, LLE radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and RLE radiculopathy, sciatic nerve were restored to their previous levels of 20 percent effective April 22, 2021.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no credible evidence linking any current left knee disability to the appellant's period of service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

Service connection is granted for neck and back disabilities, but the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder and left hip conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's left knee limitation of extension is granted at a 40 percent rating effective January 11, 2020. A separate rating for the meniscal condition prior to March 1, 2021, is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant.