Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran had overcome any impairment of employability due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

For the period from December 27, 2018 to February 10, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.,For the period from February 10, 2021, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, and he has been granted TDIU due to his severe cervical spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral fallen arches (congenital pes planus) and degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot with hallux valgus deformity, finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate retrospective medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his lumbar spine IVDS with degenerative arthritis, left wrist CTS with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and left ankle degenerative arthritis, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error in not providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, and spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted effective March 7, 2020. The Board found no earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral pes planus, bilateral metatarsalgia, bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral hallux rigidus, left navicular avulsion fracture, and left great toe degenerative arthritis. The issues of secondary service connection have also been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and migraine headaches disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The issues are being reviewed again with additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from February 5, 2021 to June 5, 2021. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the service-connected left knee disability has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new and relevant evidence received, specifically regarding periods of active duty service. The AOJ is instructed to verify all ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods during the Veteran's Army Reserve service from September 12, 1992 to November 22, 1994, and obtain a medical opinion on whether the right knee disability was incurred or aggravated by these periods of service.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal fusion, and spondylolisthesis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to his active military service.

The Board grants the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his lumbar spine, left knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee meniscal tear, instability, and degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left ankle injury residuals, and left ankle scar, as the appropriate effective date is November 7, 2016.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and TMJ are currently rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes, so an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during service are related to his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for his right foot Lisfranc injury and degenerative arthritis is granted. The restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right inguinal hernia is also granted, effective March 16, 2020.