Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine (lower back) is rated at 20 percent effective from August 14, 2023.

Service connection is granted for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with spondylosis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left hip degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Prior to July 14, 2023, the Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 10 percent. As of July 14, 2023, it is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date for the increase in rating being January 12, 2022.,An earlier effective date of March 20, 2015, has also been granted for the service connection of left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to an inadequate examination of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, which impacts his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and consideration of whether a different or additional Diagnostic Code should be used.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective medical opinion and consideration of evidence related to employment.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has remanded this case for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current conditions are more likely related to aging and repetitive strain than active duty.

The Veteran's low back condition, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis following surgery, is remanded for further evaluation and an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lower back disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The right clavicle fracture, right clavicle scar, left knee strain and joint osteoarthritis, and arterioslerotic heart disease are all found to be related to service. A rating of 30 percent has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss from October 28, 2019 through February 5, 2023.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would allow for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as cervical strain with muscle pain and arthritis, is granted.,The Veteran's chronic right trapezius disorder is granted.,The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and entitlement to a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of continuous neck pain symptoms since separation from active duty.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 19, 2018 for right shoulder joint replacement under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and a rating in excess of 80 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability. The claim for TDIU is also denied.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran's education and experience would qualify him for non-physical or sedentary work, despite his service-connected disabilities preventing physical labor.

The Veteran's request for restoration of a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, from September 28, 2018, to August 5, 2023, is granted. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of motion is also granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim based on the aggregate effect of her service-connected disabilities is granted effective January 20, 2021.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Veteran's private physician and readjudicating the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as none of her service-connected disabilities, alone, are severe enough to prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.