Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to potential toxic exposure in service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for torn labrum and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding no unadjudicated claim prior to October 20, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion was denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings related to degenerative disc disease of the lumber spine prior to August 9, 2024, and from that date forward, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities, were also denied. The Veteran requested higher initial ratings but did not express disagreement with the effective dates assigned.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was rated under Diagnostic Codes 5003-5261 for degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension respectively. The Veteran's right knee flexion was rated under Diagnostic Code 5260, which does not allow for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with minor thoracic dextroscoliosis and sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, fingernail condition on the right hand index and ring fingers, and hidradenitis suppurativa on the right and left thighs is remanded.

The Veteran's left and right knee degenerative arthritis, manifested by painful limitation of flexion, are each rated at 10 percent since July 14, 2020. Separate 10 percent ratings for recurrent subluxation/lateral instability under the old criteria for DC 5257 is granted from July 14, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities with an effective date of April 29, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is proximately due to his military activities.

The Veteran's left ankle condition, diagnosed as a left ankle sprain and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion or ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it warrants a rating of 40 percent throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back disability (degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine) is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies (RLE and LLE sciatic radiculopathy) are granted as secondary to her back disability.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded due to a lack of verification of the TERA exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle post-traumatic degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The case will be reviewed with the possibility of obtaining retrospective medical opinions or new VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all claims of service connection, including those for bilateral flat feet, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right CTS, left CTS, essential tremors, right ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The appeal of sleep apnea was granted in a July 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantial, gainful employment prior to May 1, 2021. Her earnings exceeded the poverty threshold for each year during this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability due to deficiencies in the VA examination provided. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service, but a new VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted service connection as it was aggravated during active duty. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) and a left foot degenerative arthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted with effective dates of March 31, 2006. The Veteran was found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his stroke and other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service and concluding that any potential secondary relationship to his service-connected knee disability was not established.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild scoliosis is granted a rating in excess of 10 percent. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent. Service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted.