Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar disc disease with bulging of intervertebral discs and right knee chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis have been granted. The Board found new and relevant evidence since the final denial supporting these claims.

Prior to June 18, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As of June 18, 2021, his single service-connected disability did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating were not met.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 18, 2019 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his left shoulder and left arm disorders, finding that they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected partial left foot drop with left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cold weather injury residuals of the lower legs, bilateral degenerative arthritis and interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis of the feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions in the January 2021 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis, noting that there is no evidence of record supporting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment prior to April 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Veteran's right forearm scar and fracture of the radius, right arm were not rated as compensable. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's fracture middle finger, left hand was not linked to his service. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis and dermatitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knees and right hand De Quervain's disease were dismissed. The claim for a higher evaluation for the right hand condition was granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically degenerative arthritis, was not rated higher than 20% prior to March 15, 2022, and 30% from that date. The Veteran also received a separate 10% rating for left knee instability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent for the period from April 26, 2021, to September 6, 2021. A higher rating is not warranted during this time frame.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left ankle degenerative arthritis.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's PTSD and right knee conditions are not rated above the current levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence at the time of the December 2019 rating decision, including a lack of range of motion testing in degrees.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA opinions and a need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's radiculopathy involves the femoral nerve, as well as its current severity.

The Veteran's right hip strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claims for a left hip disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued from July 9, 2019, and the effective dates are based on these pursuit dates.