Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and headaches, but denied service connection for atrial fibrillation and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as right and left knee chondrocalcinosis.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 28, 2012, for the grant of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further medical records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and left shoulder labral tear post-surgery.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the loss of Veteran's service treatment records. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral leg injuries, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, left ankle strain, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include MDD with cocaine and alcohol dependence and PTSD) has been granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to warrant reopening these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent hand, hip, and foot disabilities to include degenerative arthritis, all claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for various other disabilities. The decision also denies ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine DJD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension were restored to their previous levels due to improper reduction.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not result in limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less prior to July 27, 2019.,Prior to July 27, 2019, the Veteran's right knee instability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for unstable angina and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA evaluations regarding the Veteran's arthritic disabilities, other than those already service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the left knee disability was rated appropriately, but the right knee disability required further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches has been dismissed.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at no more than 20 percent from June 1, 2014 to November 24, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, diagnosed as facet arthrosis and degenerative arthritis, was incurred in service and is now granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left shoulder conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and assessments.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty.,Service connection for residuals of lymphangitis and a parasitic infection of the right foot is denied due to lack of current disability.