Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, PTSD, and a heart disability have been granted with effective dates of June 3, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral lower extremities are also remanded as VA failed to fulfill its duty to assist.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee meniscal tear, have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The effective date for these awards is October 3, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 2018.

The Veteran's appeal seeking earlier effective dates for ratings of left and right femoral radiculopathy is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking earlier effective dates for ratings of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking earlier effective dates for ratings of cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking earlier effective dates for ratings of left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The current evaluations of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The Board has granted the reinstatement of the effective date for a 30 percent rating for a right knee disability to February 7, 2021. The Veteran's claim was continuously pursued and VA is responsible for determining whether the evidence supports the claim or is in relative equipoise.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, partial knee arthroplasty, baker cyst, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee are secondary to his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 25, 2003 for TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits since that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected fracture right knee, tibial plateau and anterior fibula with painful motion was denied. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was established but combined with the existing disability evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 25, 2015. Effective March 7, 2016, the Veteran was awarded SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis of the left hip. The Veteran's disabilities are deemed to have started during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left ankle disorders (including arthritis), and right shoulder disabilities are granted. The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities are also granted. However, the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right shoulders remain pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. The ratings for neck condition, TMJ with bruxism, and GERD are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, subcalcaneal pain, Morton's neuroma with hallux valgus, and osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for an updated examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected foot impairments have caused additional compensable neuropathy.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right foot onychomycosis, left foot onychomycosis, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss.,Service connection is remanded for PTSD and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to lack of physical loss or permanent loss of use of hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, scar formation resulting from severe burn injury, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating of his conditions has been dismissed.