Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee disability was rated at 10% prior to August 28, 2018, and the left knee disability was rated at 10% prior to May 29, 2018, with a 30% rating granted since December 13, 2022. The Veteran is now receiving TDIU effective June 20, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis has been granted, as new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of right shoulder arthritis and an in-service injury leading to his condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that symptoms were noted in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners supported the denial, citing lack of chronicity during or after service and alternative causes such as post-service work activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to new evidence not having been considered in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with DJD and osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a TDIU rating due to a single service-connected disability, and SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant. However, he is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a vision disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for right foot degenerative arthritis, with the Board finding that the current disability is related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current lumbar spine disabilities and service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and TDIU due to inadequate examination records and failure to address certain issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine prior to September 15, 2015 due to inadequate support for the Board's determination that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran's abnormal gait is noted in both medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand orders and additional development is required.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective March 10, 2022, with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis from April 3, 2015, through December 4, 2018 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis from December 5, 2018, through March 8, 2021 was also denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's ankle and back disabilities are being remanded for new examinations to assess their current severity, as the evidence suggests they have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2020. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded due to its connection with the ankle and back disabilities.