Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. The Board denied VR&E benefits as the Veteran does not meet the threshold requirement of having an employment handicap.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim is based on direct service connection due to symptoms that began during service and have continued since.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as right shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder strain, finding that it had its onset within a year of his discharge from service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for service connection. The left hip disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, effective from August 28, 2020.

The Veteran's back disability is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective May 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining any form of gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis with a history of ACL tear, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ must obtain additional medical opinions and consider evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee lateral instability prior to July 7, 2015. However, the initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis prior to that date remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for a spine disability due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 30, 2016, onward, and entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for joint osteoarthritis, left knee; hypertension; obstructive sleep apnea; and hypothyroidism, secondary to service-connected squamous cell carcinoma has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for right knee limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis, and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional information regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 20 percent rating for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with locking and effusion into the joint, effective February 28, 2021. The Board finds that he is entitled to this rating based on Diagnostic Code 5258.,For his right knee tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, right hip disability (iliopsoas tendinitis, strain, and trochanteric pain syndrome), left hip disability (strain and trochanteric pain syndrome), migraine headache disability, and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis.,The Board has also granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine disability and OSA secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for left knee joint osteoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis was denied. The earliest possible effective date is March 30, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding VA medical records and SSA disability benefit records. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 28, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination of his lumbar spine disability.