Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and low back pain with spinal stenosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date for the TDIU is April 5, 2021.

The Veteran's back disability is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

New and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the previously denied claims for dermatitis of both arms and trunk, diagnosed xerosis and right hand disability, characterized as osteoarthritis. The Veteran's skin condition had its onset during service.,The Veteran presented new evidence regarding his left hand disability, characterized as osteoarthritis. New and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the previously denied claim for this issue.,Service connection is granted for dermatitis of both arms and trunk, diagnosed xerosis. The claims for right hand and left hand disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance is denied because the evidence does not show that he required regular aid and attendance prior to May 21, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 11, 2020. The rating for LLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. Ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent are granted for right knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability, respectively, both effective August 11, 2020. No ratings in excess of the current ones are granted for left distal fibula fracture and residuals of stress fracture, right distal radius fracture residuals, or left foot painful scar and scar.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to June 28, 2021 due to uncertainty in the VA examiner's statement regarding the impact of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy on sedentary employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bursitis, and residuals of arthroscopic labral and rotator cuff repair. The decision is based on direct service connection due to onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for spondylosis with diffuse degenerative arthritis and multilevel degenerative disc disease is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and any toxic exposure during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and internal derangement of the left knee with osteoarthritis, status-post total knee replacement. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease with suprapatellar effusion, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand condition was denied in the October 2015 Board decision, which became final. The denial of his left hand condition claim also made it final. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hands is set at December 22, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. These conditions are related to in-service injuries sustained during active duty.,All four bilateral ankle and lower extremity conditions were diagnosed during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his June 2017 injury during active duty training.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning October 4, 2011. The claim for a TDIU prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are all found to be related to his military service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for hemorrhoids is not being readjudicated as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of current diagnoses. The claims for musculoskeletal-neck/upper back (cervical spine), nerve paralysis, and degenerative arthritis of the back are remanded as there were no medical opinions provided regarding their etiology.