Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory/lung disorder, right hip disability, left hip disability, and left ankle disability due to incomplete VA examinations and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of flexion or extension. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for limited extension, and a 20 percent rating was granted for instability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and have persisted since.

Effective October 1, 2016, the Veteran's claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), left knee osteoarthritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tinnitus, and right wrist ganglion cyst have been granted.,The effective date of service connection for traumatic brain injury with photophobia and cognitive deficits with posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic headaches, and a right ankle condition is July 29, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and the Veteran did not waive AOJ review. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for consideration of this new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, and the remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to deficiencies in the November 2023 VA medical opinion, which did not address whether VA treatment caused additional disability. The case will be returned for a new addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with myofascial pain syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis limited extension, left hip osteoarthritis limited extension, right hip osteoarthritis limited flexion, left hip osteoarthritis painful motion, left hip osteoarthritis limited adduction and abduction, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right sural nerve radiculopathy are being REMANDED for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding presumptive service connection for arthritis of the AC joint. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently diagnosed, and there are records showing in-service treatment for left shoulder pain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issues of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral feet degenerative arthritis, and right foot calcaneal spurring.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and tear with osteoarthritis, was found to be at least as severe as the current 20 percent rating prior to October 12, 2022. For the period beginning October 12, 2022, a higher rating of 30 percent is granted. The Veteran's chronic left wrist sprain continues to warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disability, including DISH, degenerative arthritis and DDD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that secondary service connection could not be established due to lack of direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria and aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his physical limitations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5237.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted initial ratings. The rating for the left lower extremity was denied, with a separate grant of a temporary increased rating prior to September 17, 2020.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appealed issues from the legacy appeal system, and they are now dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including retrospective medical opinions regarding range of motion findings and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of complete medical nexus opinions addressing secondary service connection. The VA examiner is asked to provide updated opinions on whether his right and left ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability and/or left knee disabilities.