Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address the level of involvement of a painful neuroma in his left great toe stump and whether his symptoms extend beyond the phalanx area.

The Veteran's left knee instability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to February 7, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis with painful motion are both denied ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is not related to his service, specifically his presumed exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board finds the Veteran's sleep apnea claim must be remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected.,An initial non-compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains unchanged.,An initial non-compensable rating for sinusitis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements. The Board denied an increased rating more than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain relevant non-VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is effective January 5, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities prior to November 11, 2021 is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability and determine if there was ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion and extension were denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and multiple hip and knee conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, asthma, bilateral radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in lower extremities, bilateral radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in lower extremities, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and post-operative scars of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to keep himself clean and presentable due to his conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 1, 2015 is remanded due to the failure to consider evidence of Rice TDIU and refer it to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a predecisional error in the duty to assist, and requires an addendum VA opinion on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of statutory or regulatory authority, and the AOJ correctly started payment in October 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions effective September 30, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, including limitation of extension and lateral instability, is granted with a 20 percent disability rating.