Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for his left hip disabilities and his back disability has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of painful right ankle scars is denied. The appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for painful right ankle scars and a compensable rating for nonpainful right ankle scars is also denied. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person prior to January 8, 2019, and after July 1, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 26, 2020 of a 30 percent increased rating for his left knee disability was denied as the Veteran did not timely appeal the June 2011 rating decision and there is no evidence of a request to reopen the claim within one year before the October 2020 filing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis due to a lack of an examination addressing the in-service aggravation of preexisting disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee iliotibial band syndrome, finding that there is a balance of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim. The decision is based on the Veteran's extensive military service as a Special Forces soldier, which likely contributed to his current disabilities.

Your current rating for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is 30 percent, effective prior to September 7, 2023. The Board has found that your symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis may be service-connected through secondary service connection due to obesity. Further examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the etiology of this condition.,Your back disability (not specified) is currently not service-connected, but further evidence or argument may support its service connection.,Right lower extremity sciatica has no current service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability compensation and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's initial maximum schedular rating of 10 percent for status post bunionectomy, right foot, is granted. Other service-connected conditions are not rated higher.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA neck/cervical spine examination to determine the current level of severity of the service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis with strain.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to continuous symptoms since service.,Service connection for the low back disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding severance of service connection for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia patellar, and meniscal tear effective June 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, and the Board finds in favor of granting TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that this condition was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his cervical spine disorder is remanded due to the AOJ failing to provide an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced pain during Airborne training in service and has had these conditions since then.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shin splints, but the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is not granted as service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is not granted as service-connected.,Right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is not granted as service-connected.,Left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is not granted as service-connected.,Left hip arthritis is not granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to his parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right 4th finger disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional information regarding functional loss during flare-ups.