Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a more comprehensive evaluation to determine if his disability warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including osteoarthritis and sciatica, is granted due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, tinnitus, insomnia, and benign prostatic hypertrophy were granted with an effective date of May 17, 2019. The Veteran now seeks an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to an injury incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 1984, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and restoration of a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, kyphoscoliosis, and multilevel degenerative disease thoracic spine.

The Veteran's rating for diverticulosis with resection of the large intestine and ventral hernia was restored to 30 percent effective January 7, 2020. The Board found that the reduction from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper due to a lack of improvement in functional ability. The Veteran's ADHD and bilateral knee disorders were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and attendant bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, effective December 22, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the feet, as it is related to a service-connected condition (cold injury).

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted service connection. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left ankle, claimed as an ankle sprain, is also granted service connection but secondary to his already service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, and his service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis have been reopened but denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to March 26, 2020, for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's appeal for effective dates prior to March 26, 2020, for grants of service connection for right and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing radiculopathy on any date certain prior to March 26, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without assistive devices and lack of blindness in both eyes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, left foot disability, and anxiety disorder was granted. A 40 percent rating was assigned for the right knee disability, effective August 15, 2019. The claims of service connection for other conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed because he died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including strain and meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability has been granted.

The appeal challenging the reduction in ratings for right knee disability (extension) and instability is denied. The reductions were supported by clinical findings during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye conditions and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as a TERA examination related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential errors in the initial rating decision. The issues include low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disability, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis.