Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back disability was denied as there were no pending, unadjudicated claims prior to October 25, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back conditions and bilateral radiculopathy of his lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to limitations such as difficulty dressing, feeding himself, attending to the wants of nature, and traveling. The Board has determined that these criteria are met for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has denied higher ratings for various conditions, including left knee degenerative arthritis and right shoulder arthralgia/arthritis. The issues of entitlement to a separate rating for the left knee meniscus condition and an initial compensable rating for the left knee scar have been addressed. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear. The decision finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, low back disability, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 17, 2023, and denied a higher rating. Beginning December 17, 2023, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, which is required to request review of a decision, was not filed within one year of the June 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, review of outstanding records, and application of the combat presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's left foot disability is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA on a secondary basis to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative arthritis and PTSD (previously rated as anxiety disorder), with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscectomy, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical herniated disc, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis, also claimed as joint pain, due to errors in assisting the Veteran and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not had a single disability rated at 60 percent disabling, or a disability rated at least 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, upper back and lower surgical scars, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the LLE were granted effective March 17, 2021. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no evidence to support such.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings for these conditions during the periods specified.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding constrictive bronchitis due to lack of ripeness. The claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and right knee disability are denied as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.