Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims related to PTSD, shoulder conditions, COPD, and pterygium. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset and etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and right foot pain, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and her right hip disability (limitation of extension) is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis as there was a duty to assist error in the May 2021 rating decision. The Veteran needs to be examined again and his left knee meniscal condition should be evaluated in relation to his service-connected degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, including an assessment of lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, and additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee strain and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service, but the presumption has not been rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety due to potential service connection issues.,The VA examination was inadequate in addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the disability is already at its maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is denied due to lack of a diagnosed current disability conforming to the DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as the condition is less likely than not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there was no evidence of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition, granting secondary service connection for both.

Effective dates of December 23, 2014, for left and right knee osteoarthritis, and November 15, 2017, for a left knee scar are granted. TDIU and DEA benefits prior to December 27, 2019, are remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right knee instability conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings due to lack of supporting evidence for increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected primary insomnia disorder, right shoulder ac joint and glenohumeral joint degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine with compression deformity and degenerative arthritis, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, s/p left elbow sprain, left middle finger proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation, and right wrist s/p scapholunate ligament tear. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were denied as the earliest effective dates are January 28, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there was no current diagnosis at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative arthritis, left hip strain disability, right hip strain disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for osteoarthritis during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.