Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right shoulder conditions have been denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a right upper extremity disability and a left shoulder disability, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. However, these claims are still pending because further development is required.,The Veteran's current theory of service connection is that her disabilities are secondary to a neck disability, which has been granted in the July 2023 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received since the April 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 20% rating, and his left shoulder condition is denied any increase in rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee replacement after June 1, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post-operative residuals of a service-connected torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis prior to April 11, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection. The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding other bilateral lower extremity disabilities and the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and pes planus.

This decision denies service connection for a seizure disorder. The Board has remanded the issues of initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hips, as well as the TDIU claim due to in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and his right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran needs further medical evaluation to determine if his current right knee condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraine headaches is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the left shoulder disability and cold injuries to bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left knee strain and right knee osteoarthritis and strain have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The appeal for TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis, and left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and left ankle osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in failing to attempt to obtain treatment records from Orlando Foot and Ankle. The VA is instructed to request authorization for release of medical records at Orlando Foot and Ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner that addresses whether the left knee disability had its onset in service, is related to service, or was aggravated by the right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 11, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis / osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine at L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's current lower back condition is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran experienced in-service injuries and chronic symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee tendinitis with osteoarthritis and a compensable rating for limitation of extension prior to November 13, 2023, and in excess of 40 percent from that date is denied. The TDIU claim prior to April 20, 2018, is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and psychotic features, obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.