Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not show a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.,Service connection for a left leg condition was also denied due to lack of aggravation during service. The Veteran's current knee disability is more likely attributed to post-service heavy work.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis prior to January 9, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to less than 60 degrees at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right arm disability and to clarify its cause. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the submission of additional evidence and a need for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from November 25, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the directives of the August 2023 Board remand and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorders had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including physical demands and an in-service fall while carrying 109-mm howitzer rounds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis prior to November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis from November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for cancer of the head and neck, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired vision disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as instability in both knees. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that symptoms had onset in service and have continued to the present.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for knee and ankle disabilities are granted, with separate ratings for limitation of extension and instability. The current evaluations remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, insomnia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), spinal stenosis, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder tenosynovitis, and left knee/tenosynovitis disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and lack of clarity on terms used in the rating criteria. The Veteran's right knee disability prior to June 23, 2015 needs further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for finding that the Veteran did not meet the requirements for extraschedular TDIU prior to September 7, 2016. The Court also found that if the Board maintained that the Veteran's 2016 VA examination was inadequate, that the Board was required to provide an adequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right hand degenerative arthritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, left ankle disabilities, and tinnitus have all been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the knee disabilities due to lack of evidence.