Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases, failure to address certain evidence, and need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee impairment.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. However, it denied service connection for a respiratory disability, an eye disability, and a gynecological disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's pulmonary disorder (asthma and pulmonary diffusion defect) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, but denied his claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right elbow disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip osteoarthritis, right knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and headaches have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU based solely on his major depressive disorder is granted.,The reduction of the Veteran's rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from 40% to 20%, effective January 9, 2018, was improper and has been restored.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected hallux rigidus with osteoarthritis in left big toe. The VA must obtain adequate opinions addressing both theories of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected myositis. His fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or an in-service injury, and concluded that the Veteran is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of the January 2020 VA Form 9 is dismissed. The claims for increased evaluations are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment solely because of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis and subluxation have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea is granted at a 50 percent level.,A separate disability rating of 50 percent, but not higher, is granted for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the current opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities is inadequate and requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, bilateral metatarsalgia, and left leg varicose veins. Service connection was denied for left hand CTS and right hand CTS.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or condition related to his current diagnosis.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a statutory housebound basis due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.