Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and a left leg pain, swelling, and weakness disability due to the lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee strain status post meniscectomy is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to July 26, 2021 and 10 percent thereafter. The right knee disability remains rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various spinal and nerve conditions has been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The claims are subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,A new rating decision grants a 20 percent initial rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and disc bulges, osteoarthropathy and lumbar osteoarthritis from April 4, 2015 to November 21, 2023. The Veteran's condition is characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were continuous since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection due to a low back injury during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective dates for various disabilities, and SMC at the housebound rate. The representative requested earlier effective dates for multiple conditions and disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has found that the claims for restoration of a 10 percent disability rating and for an effective date prior to August 28, 2018, are remanded due to new evidence received after the September 2023 SOC.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded several issues of service connection due to his active military service. The issues of service connection for OSA, bilateral knee conditions, headaches, right-hand condition, left-hand condition, and left hip condition are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several musculoskeletal and neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis may be associated with his service, but there is insufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and another remand is required before service connection for a right foot disability can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis was granted, but the current assigned rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, particularly regarding retrospective opinions on the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met as he did not meet the requirement of having a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis. The issue is not fully resolved and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the hip disability is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.