Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis, finding that it had its onset during service and continues to persist.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and left ankle stress fracture, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims for bilateral eye condition and respiratory disorder have been resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 40 percent ratings effective March 5, 2019. TDIU eligibility is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by his representative.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and remanded the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis status post tendon repair is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate previous opinions. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated based on his in-service injury during a trek in or around October 2003 while carrying a lot of weight.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and scoliosis with degenerative arthritis and IVDS prior to January 18, 2020 were found not to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to the lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, is not service-connected because it existed prior to service and was aggravated by natural progression rather than being incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of the available rates under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current diagnoses are not related to an in-service injury and thus denying her claim.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity and functional impact. His stomach and kidney conditions are also remanded for examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current condition is related to service or his service-connected scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further evidentiary development regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar osteoarthritis, specifically addressing flare-ups and additional limitation of range of motion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity (claimed as weight gain/body mass index) has been reopened, but the condition is not considered a disease or disability for VA purposes and therefore cannot be granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further development. The claim for specially adapted housing and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings, service connection, and a temporary total evaluation due to inadequate examinations in previous remands. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being examined again to assess their severity, including flare-ups, and his left hip disability is being evaluated with consideration of its relationship to his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee instability and osteoarthritis have been granted ratings of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective prior to January 8, 2020. The current evidence does not support higher ratings for either condition.