Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for migraines.,For cervical strain, the Veteran was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, he was also denied such a rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine (claimed as low back pain), migraines, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and their respective service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, left and right ankle sprains, tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis, painful scars of the ankles, and right knee degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, he is granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for cervical degenerative arthritis, injury to coccyx (low back condition and chronic pain syndrome), and right leg condition was granted. The issues of service connection for the low back disability and right leg condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder and right shoulder disorder, both diagnosed as arthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are related to injuries noted in service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hand pain, but the claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, left knee joint osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (back), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck), and headaches. The Veteran's conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.,The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis in left knee is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis in right knee is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU due to obesity caused or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine intervertebral disc disease with degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability, as well as a TDIU determination. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and its connection to service.

The Veteran's increased symptoms in his right foot are attributable to a non-service-connected right foot disability.,The Veteran does not have a right ankle condition that is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, finding that it was incurred in or caused by active-duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it lacks jurisdiction to review the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis and left leg radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the submission of a VA Form 10182 opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) from September 2023 and November 2023 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. Additionally, his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion; a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of extension; a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability based on recurrent instability; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of semilunar removal, meniscectomy, of the right knee. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee anterior instability with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia with recurrent patella dislocation and degenerative arthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder conditions due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins and basal cell carcinoma have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for degenerative joint disease (to include osteoarthritis).,Service connection for varicose veins is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty, and the Veteran's condition is more likely caused by risk factors such as obesity and age.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied due to lack of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and insufficient medical opinion supporting a link between the condition and service.