Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to procedural error.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from August 6, 2019.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right hip, and low back disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to her active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 27, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his last day of full-time employment was November 19, 2020.

The Board has determined that the February 2021 VA examination for the right knee disability is inadequate and remanded to obtain a new examination. The Veteran contends he should be awarded a higher rating due to his symptoms, including pain during active and passive range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left knee and hip degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be the cause of her current left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran also has a current right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, which she attributes to injuries sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is granted effective May 28, 2021. An earlier effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's previously reduced ratings for right hip degenerative osteoarthritis and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, effective August 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TMD and a higher initial disability rating for TMD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2020. For service connection of left knee and right knee disabilities, the Board found no probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder dislocation and instability with glenohumeral osteoarthritis, finding that it is not related to his in-service left shoulder disability or any other in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand all four issues related to service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for residuals of right foot strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee condition due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and evaluation for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for IVDS with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for increased disability ratings in multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left knee replacement, right foot drop, and bilateral knee disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations.