Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracic spinal strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder brachial plexopathy, and left shoulder strain have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the left and right knees each receiving a separate 10 percent rating. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is remanded.

The reduction in rating for residuals of service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis from 40 percent to 20 percent effective May 12, 2022 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse the reduction is granted.,Effective dates are granted for service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and left elbow supination.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bronchial asthma, left shoulder pain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (cervical spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease), and major depressive disorder due to a procedural defect in filing the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's deviated septum was granted service connection and an effective date of July 20, 2006.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was also granted with an effective date of July 20, 2006.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 27, 2021 for the awards of a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine (back disability), service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disorder is granted service connection. The claims for left and right knee disorders, as well as the right ankle disorder, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional examinations will be performed, and the Veteran will be provided with updated VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee Baker's cyst due to a predecisional duty-to-assist error, requiring the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a scaphoid fracture and degenerative arthritis with fusion surgery, is rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2021. The claim for increased rating was granted but the issues of service connection for right hand and finger disabilities as secondary to his right wrist disability, and for a right knee disability, are being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination and a retrospective opinion on his right shoulder disability prior to February 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for other specified stressor related disorder with major depressive disorder is granted, effective from March 30, 2020. His separate ratings for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and glenohumeral joint instability and dislodged fixation screw (under DC 5201) and left shoulder recurrent dislocation (under DC 5202) are maintained at 20 percent each.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and right hand strain, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical condition and left ankle condition due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound of the left lower extremity and a left knee disability has been dismissed as moot due to full grants in prior decisions.,Service connection was granted for both conditions from February 2, 2018.