Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are granted as service connection. The Veteran's musculoskeletal bilateral foot disability, aggravated during service, is also granted.,Service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and a skin disability of the feet, remains pending due to remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck condition. The effective date for service connection of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis as secondary to right knee osteoarthritis is January 20, 2020.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced due to the removal of his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. The Board found that he is no longer in receipt of a 100 percent rating for any single service-connected disability, thus denying his appeal to restore SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral joint arthritis have not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, thus the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of his claimed condition, as well as whether any current non-congenital disease or defect present during the appeal period had its clinical onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbar stenosis, and disc herniation as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and VA medical opinions that support a finding of in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis and IVDS with bilateral mild sciatic radiculopathy from 60% to 60%, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's initial claim for a lumbar spine disability was granted in March 2002 with a 20% rating. The Board increased the rating to 40% effective May 3, 2023. TDIU was also granted from May 1, 2009, to March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot disability, including osteoarthritis on the mid-foot, is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the severity of his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome and its relationship to his shoulder condition. The Board requests a retrospective opinion from an appropriate clinician.

A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 23, 2020 to May 11, 2020 has been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder glenohumeral joint dislocation with arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand two separate issues related to clothing allowances for the Veteran. The first issue involves retroactive clothing allowances from 2012 through 2019, and the second concerns a clothing allowance for the year 2020. These decisions are based on missing records that need to be obtained by VA.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran could perform activities of daily living with minor assistance or reminders from his spouse, and there is no evidence indicating he required regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with obtaining inpatient records and addressing certain medical opinions related to service connection for a right leg disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that his current conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by service.