Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a fungal condition of the head, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee and shin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to duty-to-assist errors in previous examinations.

The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and denied the restoration of the 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis effective March 23, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition, which was initially granted but at a low level (10%), is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous examination and the need for a new one that considers flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis of the back and chronic sinusitis are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is now remanding the case to clarify whether he was enrolled in school full-time and obtain his complete VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity neurological disability, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses and a causal relationship.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbosacral spine and sleep apnea with sleep disturbances were dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause was not shown.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 22, 2016 for service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis and right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for limitation of extension and flexion of the left elbow were also denied as they are not related to the original claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and degenerative arthritis with enthesophyte, as well as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, both found to be secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding no evidence that it is related to service or his service-connected left sciatic nerve involvement associated with post-herpetic pain syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has restored service connection for left hip disorders, including osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, as they are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and residuals of status-post left knee arthroscopy, is on appeal for service connection. The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the May 2021 rating decision and has ordered remand to obtain an adequate VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis, chondromalacia and strain. The decision is based on evidence showing a current disability (bilateral knee disabilities), an in-service injury or event (chronic bilateral knee pain during both periods of service), and a nexus between the current disabilities and the disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome to 50 percent effective September 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative arthritis, finding that it is due to military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Service connection was denied for athletes foot, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and tendinitis.