Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral bunion disability and first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The AOJ will consider any evidence not previously considered in adjudicating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic left hip strain with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis, chronic left hip strain with limitation of extension and osteoarthritis, and chronic left hip strain with thigh impairment and osteoarthritis have been granted effective October 30, 2020. The Board has also remanded the increased evaluation claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right hip strains, left and right knee conditions, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10 percent rating for each of the affected limbs.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine (back disability), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been dismissed as they were previously denied in a January 2015 rating decision. The Veteran did not dispute or appeal these decisions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral tinnitus has been denied because the evidence does not show that his current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and strain, are at least as likely as not related to his service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis with ACL insufficiency and medial meniscus tear was denied.,Service connection for PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, TBI, and tinnitus were all denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis was denied, but he received a separate 20% rating for his meniscus tear with tendinopathy. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted service connection.,A TDIU before December 6, 2018, is still pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his active service and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The other issues, including bilateral hearing loss and skin conditions, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and provide an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The issues remain on appeal as the PACT Act of 2022 does not apply to all periods of the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 3, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent from November 4, 2021. The case is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are each rated at 20 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral feet disabilities due to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis must be readjudicated, as no new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the previous denial in November 2020. The remaining claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee pain. The Veteran is requested to provide a new medical opinion that addresses his service connection claim.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis has been rated at 20 percent since December 10, 2016. The appeal is denied as the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is required to be examined again to address his claims of pre-existing condition, aggravation during service, and relationship to active duty.