Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no indication of severe incomplete paralysis or marked muscular atrophy.

The Board has remanded the issues of propriety of the reduction in rating for the Veteran's lumbar back disability, entitlement to increased ratings for her lumbar back and associated radiculopathy disabilities, and requests for additional treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of vision problems, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and chronic urticaria as these conditions have been granted during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and erectile dysfunction are now considered secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,New evidence has been submitted, including VA examination reports and a private medical opinion, which supports the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis as no new and relevant evidence was presented during the applicable time period.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, with separate ratings for meniscal tear and instability. The rating for osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there was no chronic in-service disease or injury, and the current diagnosis of minimal lumbar degenerative disc disease did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability is denied as there was no chronic in-service disease or injury, and the current diagnosis of tricompartmental osteoarthritis with meniscal tear did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the disabilities began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand all claims due to duty-to-assist errors, requiring additional examinations and opinions for the left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and tinnitus issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis and bilateral knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome are granted at 50% and 20% ratings respectively. The service connection claims for a bilateral ankle condition and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level or flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees.

The Board has dismissed all issues of increased evaluations and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected myospasm of the lumbar spine, and remanded the issue of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for arthritis of the toes of the right foot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the last VA examination report, which did not include range of motion measurements and failed to address functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for this condition.,Service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee condition, right hip disability, and left hip disability is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability, finding that the current right knee disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected back disability.