Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, and right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to adjudicate these claims in light of the additional evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes, so a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for various knee conditions have been dismissed due to their passing during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by lateral collateral ligament sprain and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since January 27, 2021. The Board finds that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted due to marked limitation of motion throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination addressing the theories of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral wrist nerve condition, bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, back condition, right shoulder clavicle disability, and left elbow condition have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities of the claimed conditions.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis on the basis that these conditions worsened during active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing disability for VA compensation purposes. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss must be denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and a TDIU prior to July 9, 2008 are being remanded due to procedural errors in the evidence considered by the AOJ. The AOJ is instructed to correct these errors and consider any relevant evidence not previously considered.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right hip have all been granted due to chronic disease presumptive service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various conditions, including major depressive disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot degenerative arthritis with plantar calcaneal spur and fragment at the periphery of the first interphalangeal joint, flat foot, hammertoes, and hallux valgus is dismissed as his claim has been fully granted. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle status post scope and talus microfracture is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU and Dependents' Education Assistance claims are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is at least as likely as not related to his active military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, finding that his current diagnoses are related to his military service. The decision also finds that his left knee disorder is proximately due to his now service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability was dismissed because it became final on January 20, 2022. The claims of left shoulder and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the denial of service connection for a right shoulder disability warrants readjudication. The AOJ is instructed to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current right shoulder, right hip, and bilateral knee disorders.