Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected right shoulder disability as it has been fully addressed in a previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience. The Board finds the totality of the evidence more probative than his lay statements in determining that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability with total knee replacement, effective October 18, 2020. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial in February 1994.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee disorders.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,An initial 30 percent rating is granted for left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm bicep strain, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain aspects of his claims, including the onset of his knee and shoulder disabilities during service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity were denied as they predate the date entitlement arose.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis limitation of extension was denied as it predated the date entitlement arose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current diagnosis is caused by or proximately due to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete or inadequate examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence, including private treatment records and FMLA/employment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including private medical records and x-rays.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle ankylosis with degenerative arthritis status post multiple reconstructive surgeries, finding that there is no persuasive medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of osteoarthritis of the left and right shoulders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The Board also found that there are issues regarding service connection for elbow osteoarthritis which require further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee DJD and has remanded the claims for right knee DJD and right wrist osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, limited flexion of the left knee, instability of the right knee, limited extension of the right knee, and limited extension of the left knee has been granted effective July 28, 2020.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left knee disability and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The effective date is not specified as the decision only addresses the denial of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left total knee arthroplasty and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's disabilities resulted from injuries sustained during his active duty training (ADT).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip pain is denied.,The Board has also decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back degenerative arthritis and right eye disability due to insufficient evidence.