Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for alcohol/substance abuse associated with PTSD is granted, and he receives a 70 percent rating for PTSD with substance/alcohol abuse. The evaluation for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The decision was based on an inadequate VA medical opinion and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to outstanding medical records, including those from private providers. The VA is also requested to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis from January 12, 2023 is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and chronic headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for memory loss, a neurological condition, diabetes, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and unspecified osteoarthritis of multiple joints is remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met at any time during the periods of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his left knee disability from July 25, 2016 to July 24, 2017 is granted. The claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent and TDIU prior to the specified dates are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis of left knee instability and degenerative arthritis and military service. The Board gave more probative weight to the VA examination and opinion provided in August 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted the recent examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are related to her military service. The appeal is remanded for a review of additional VA evidence regarding an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with strain, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left and right knee ratings to 20 percent effective November 16, 2022. The issues of increased rating for knees prior to August 18, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 24, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is an additional disability superimposed upon his congenital deformity and whether his left knee degenerative arthritis is related to his service, including in-service reports of pain and stiffness behind the left knee.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hips and knees are granted.,Service connection is also granted for left hip degenerative arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist degenerative arthritis, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder due to deficiencies in prior examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular disability ratings and TDIU due to a lack of clarity in whether the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for limitation of flexion prior to March 29, 2023 and for a higher rating for limitation of flexion beginning March 29, 2023. The claim for eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was granted.