Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his left shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than July 20, 2022, for service connection of right hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip osteoarthritis and left knee status post total replacement, are now rated as 60 percent disabling when combined with other conditions. Effective January 30, 2023, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted from December 2, 2018 to July 7, 2019 due to his service-connected right hip and bilateral knee disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury, disease, or event for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is causally related to his service-connected shoulder impingement syndrome with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis, and left lower extremity sciatica, radiculopathy. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis on an aggravation basis and tinnitus, but dismissed the claim of left knee disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection is established for right knee degenerative arthritis with ACL repair and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her right knee and left knee conditions due to prior decisions in the legacy system. The Veteran's claim is not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and lack of private medical records. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left wrist residuals with degenerative arthritis was denied. The VA determined that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms, including pain and limited motion of the wrist. Ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and sciatic nerve were granted at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his back disability was denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertensive heart disease with fatigue and shortness of breath, hypertension based on the PACT Act, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a right hip disorder were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or within the applicable presumptive period and concluding that the current disorders are not related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disability, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and low back disability render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he is precluded from obtaining such due to his disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for higher ratings and service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination for the Veteran's right hip disability due to inconsistencies in the findings and reports from previous examinations.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 AOJ decision and has ordered additional development. The claim is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was aggravated by her service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's jaw condition is granted as service connected.,Service connection for residuals of pneumonia is denied.,Right knee disability secondary to right ankle disability is granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected.,Sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the jaw condition.