Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and the TDIU claim are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her service-connected migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, PTSD with TBI, and scar of the right lateral forehead have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's left acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, with rotator cuff tear and tendinitis (claimed as left shoulder condition) is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's rib condition, diagnosed as a hairline fracture due to jump from a Black Hawk, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left femur condition, diagnosed as a femur injury in 1987, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations and osteopenia, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the right forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the left forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters as they are not related to her life.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The rating for his lumbar strain degenerative arthritis has been restored from 40% to 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative joint disease, as well as his left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition do not meet or approximate the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence showing that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors in obtaining his military records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, and neck and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection for the thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending due to remand.

Your appeal for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been dismissed because the benefits you sought have already been granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 2, 2018 for service connection on all five conditions: intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right shoulder strain, hypertension, right Achilles' tendon tear, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically osteoarthritis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether the current right knee disability may be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, cervical spine, and left hand disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that led to current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous directives, including obtaining a new medical examination for the Veteran's right knee disability. The examiner is asked to provide estimated range-of-motion measurements for flare-ups and reconcile any discrepancy in findings from April 2022 and June 2022 VA knee examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The effective dates for increased disability ratings are denied as there is no factual basis for an earlier date.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left orbital fracture is denied as there is no evidence of visual dysfunction resulting from the injury.,For the period from September 7, 2012 to June 23, 2023, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent. After this date, it does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service, and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues. The remaining claims are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show any limitation of motion more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability, and the Board has remanded her claims regarding bilateral ear conditions (hearing loss), tinnitus, and right knee disability.