Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left knee instability is granted as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound injury.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new and relevant evidence for further review, including verification of service in Southwest Asia and potential toxic exposure during firefighting at Fort Knox.

The Veteran's left knee instability and right knee instability were granted service connection with effective dates of August 5, 2016 and September 5, 2017 respectively. The Veteran was also granted a separate rating for his right knee meniscal tear with frequent episodes of locking.,A compensable rating (20%) was granted for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, but granted a TDIU for the period from September 5, 2019, to October 18, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's hip conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for radiculopathy, wrist disabilities, and hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed as freestanding claims. The Board found that these claims lack legal merit.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis as they are not adequately addressed by the VA examinations provided.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and strain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of corroborating service treatment records in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and ratings related to various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain residuals with trochanteric pain syndrome, right shin splints, left shin splints, right knee strain residuals, and left knee strain residuals. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been granted service connection, effective from February 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at a 40 percent for right hip limitation of flexion under DC 5252.

The Veteran's hip osteoarthritis has been denied for ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee instability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee residuals status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee incomplete ligament tear and strain with degenerative arthritis post ACL reconstruction are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee strain and lumbosacral strain are also rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for left knee strain. The Veteran's claim is being returned to obtain further clarification on whether his condition is related to active service or aggravated by his service-connected left foot achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 11, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome - lumbar spine associated with left knee strain has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 28, 2013, for service connection of his spinal disability. The claim was received on that date and the Board found it appropriate as the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately accounts for the Veteran's symptoms, including pain and difficulty with impact activities.