Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 20, 2017, for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis with strain and meniscus tear. The decision found that the claim was continuously pursued from this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sphincter impairment, a skin rash, left shoulder degenerative arthritis with tendinitis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sinusitis/rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a depressive disorder and shoulder and knee conditions, effectively preclude him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions and issues, including PTSD, right foot joint osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, pilonidal cyst, presbyopia, allergic rhinitis, and cataracts. The effective dates for benefits were also not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for IVDS with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left leg radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection effective July 12, 2016. His right and left knee disabilities were also granted service connection effective January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition, including a labral tear and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding its onset during full-time National Guard duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with spondylosis Schmorl's node, lumbar spine with thoracic degenerative disc disease, as secondary to his service-connected right femur stress fracture.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee conditions, as well as his posttraumatic stress disorder with somatic symptom disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various shoulder and cervical spine conditions as they have been granted within a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as his conditions allow for some mobility and he is able to perform many daily activities with assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right foot conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between her current diagnoses and her active-duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of PTSD due to a full grant of benefits. The Veteran's PFB and left knee disability were granted with appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with osteoarthritis was denied as his flexion did not reach the level of 30 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long finger disabilities are rated at 10 percent each. The little finger disability is rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's fracture of the fifth little finger with residual strain and degenerative arthritis is also rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 22, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 19, 2020, for the grant of service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose before that date.