Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to an in-service injury incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings and effective dates were dismissed due to his death. The claims related to PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right posterior iliac fracture with residuals, scar from a previous injury, lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU/DEA benefits have been dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, invertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy, had its onset during service. The Board finds that all three elements of service connection are met, including a current disability, an in-service injury or aggravation, and a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability was denied. The case is remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA peripheral nerve examination for the left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, wedge fracture T11-T12, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied in October 2020. The Veteran filed a supplemental claim on November 29, 2021, which resulted in service connection being granted effective that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear with patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, limitation of extension, and resulting obesity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The appeal to reduce radiculopathy ratings (right and left lower extremities) is dismissed as no final decision has been made.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on medical opinions that link GERD to the use of NSAIDs due to his left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot and knee conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is also rendered helpless by his disabilities requiring regular in-home assistance.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran's representative requested additional information about the VA examiner, but this does not affect the duty to assist at the Board level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic cardiomyopathy s/p myocardial infarction, unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, right elbow osteoarthritis, right elbow limitation of supination, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 29, 2023. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's right thigh gunshot wound residuals, finding that the condition is proximately due to his service-connected injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic fatigue symptoms and their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his reported fatigue/sleep disorder, including CFS.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS are rated at 20 percent effective May 31, 2016. The LEFT lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1) as of September 28, 2021 due to service-connected disabilities resulting in need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right foot degenerative arthritis was granted service connection effective June 17, 2020, the day following his separation from service. The other claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as they predate this effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus, have caused him to need regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with osteoarthritis and right knee strain, finding that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.