Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and spondylosis, left knee instability with mild joint effusion and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee instability with mild joint effusion and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service complaints of lower back pain and bilateral knee pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The increased rating claims for residual surgical scar, right shoulder arthroscopy; left knee mild iliotibial band syndrome; and right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 and July 27, 2009 for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 27, 2009 for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.

The Board granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) from August 27, 2021, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 1, 2021 for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obesity, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence shows that the Veteran's OSA is related to his obesity, which was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability, as it was limited to painful motion at a flexion endpoint of 100 degrees and abduction endpoint of 105 degrees. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's back, right hip, asthma, and heart disabilities.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, including strain, degenerative arthritis, instability, and a meniscal tear, to obtain additional medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board remands the matter for an additional VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran is granted a 50% rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and IVDS, and 40% ratings each for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he did not provide all necessary information to establish his entitlement to additional dependency compensation based on his relationship with T. H. A., his minor child, within one year of the August 2013 rating decision which established compensation and rated a service-connected disability not less than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sacroiliac degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, and sinusitis due to exposure to fine particulate matter under the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.320.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a headache disorder, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to various dates have been dismissed as the decisions were final and not subject to revision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis, finding that it is at least as likely as not proximately due to her service-connected varicose veins in her lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right knee condition due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran was not provided with an opportunity to submit records from his private physician, Dr. P.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, spinal cord tumors, anxiety, and otogenic vertigo are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the lumbar spine disability.