Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her left ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar and left knee disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple shoulder, elbow, neck, and hand disabilities as the evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability (other than left anterior cruciate ligament repair) and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis and instability, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle condition, including osteochondritis dissecans and osteochondral fracture with degenerative arthritis, finding that his symptoms are related to his active-duty service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and other disabilities. The earliest effective date assigned was October 28, 2020.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August 2018 and July 2020 were inadequate for assessing the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. As a result, the claim is being remanded to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's range of motion.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination and to provide the Veteran's representative with the curriculum vitae of the June 2015 examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various joint disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar strain, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and bilateral Osgood Schlatter's disease to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's asthma prior to December 2018 is not rated higher than 30 percent.,The Veteran's asthma and sleep apnea from December 2018 are not rated higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's right hip disability and back disability have been denied increased ratings. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the back disability, including consideration of flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, necessitate regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability in the right ear due to a lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear, tinnitus, and back disability (degenerative arthritis).

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy with right calf muscle atrophy, right lower extremity to 40 percent effective November 1, 2019. The individual unemployability entitlement was also restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand, knee, and left shoulder disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate nexus opinion as to whether these conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for back disability due to withdrawal. The right sciatica and TDIU claims are remanded.