Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee, left knee, left wrist, and left thumb disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment from December 12, 2017 to December 31, 2019 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant nonVA treatment records.,The Veteran's bladder problems may be related to his lumbar spine disability or a nonservice-connected condition, and further clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for low back condition to include degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine strain, and muscle spasm due to a lack of an adequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbosacral disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date was set at October 27, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to his service-connected migraine headaches, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), chronic, left ankle post traumatic degenerative joint disease, right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (extension), and right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (flexion).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear, and right knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that his disabilities did not meet or approximate criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation. However, due to the need for additional development regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities, these claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine due to a lack of evidence regarding service connection, including potential exposure to toxic agents. The VA will attempt to verify Southwest Asia service and obtain an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER).

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD, C3 to C7 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD. The Veteran's current hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically addressing the impact of flare-ups and repetitive use on his range of motion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 16, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities.,However, the claim for a higher rating for GERD remains pending as it was not adequately evaluated in the most recent decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee conditions, left knee conditions, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's right knee disability and whether she is entitled to a separate compensable rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for joint pain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to September 10, 2020 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability and noted that the Veteran had been granted service connection for this condition in March 2020 with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee osteoarthritis are found to be at least in equipoise with causing or aggravating his sleep apnea. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left and right hands have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities. Her bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, effective April 23, 2007. The right knee limitation of flexion is granted but no higher than noncompensable. The rating for right knee osteoarthritis remains denied.