Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and left hip osteoarthritis, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address VA's duty to assist regarding flare-ups. The Veteran is entitled to a retrospective VA medical opinion for past severity of his low back disability prior to April 19, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there were chronic back symptoms during service and continuous back symptoms since service. The decision is based on direct service connection due to a current diagnosis and in-service history.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine was restored to a 20% rating effective June 12, 2017.,The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 50% rating effective February 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right hand and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis has been denied.,The effective date for service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis is set at October 22, 2008. The Veteran's appeal regarding this issue was remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS are rated at 20 percent, effective September 1, 2009. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip osteoarthritis with avascular necrosis and neuropathy of the upper right thigh due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of exposure to volcanic ash has been reopened, and service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,Service connection for glaucoma is denied.,Service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis and status post cervical fusion with cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities are related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as a cognitive disorder and headaches. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be already compensated by the service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases for various conditions, including sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fascitis, TMJ, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and cluster headaches. The decision is based on the need for additional development, specifically obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, an eye disability, hepatitis C, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain. The evidence did not support a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hip conditions. Further examination is needed to determine if the hip conditions are related to service, including his in-service duties as a cook.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current osteoarthritis is not related to his in-service injury and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address Veteran's reports of flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial rating for a back disability was denied as his range of motion with forward flexion has been limited at most to 60 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective August 25, 2021. A TDIU has also been added due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle shin splints are granted a 10% rating.,Service connection for the Veteran's back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and instability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.