Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, fibromyalgia, and headaches migraines have been dismissed as the conditions were granted in a March 2024 rating decision.,Service connection has been established for bilateral flatfoot, degenerative arthritis of the right foot, left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, left plantar fasciitis, right plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis of the left hand.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, currently diagnosed as osteoarthritis. The decision finds that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current condition is related to active military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence, but has denied the claim on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service and no link between the claimed in-service injury and the current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and stomach disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and vertebral fracture, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted effective July 5, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence presented by the Veteran during his hearing. The claims will be reconsidered with a focus on the Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his conditions during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) is remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations, which may affect her eligibility for the benefit.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, tear, and osteoarthritis as well as right testicular hydrocele. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 29, 2020 for a 40 percent disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition worsened prior to his claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 22, 2017 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is a result of his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hip, right hip, cervical spine DDD with spinal stenosis, and RUE cervical radiculopathy have been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for GERD during the review period (from June 8, 2020, through October 23, 2020) has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to a failure of VA to obtain an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.