Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate VA examination, and further evaluation is needed to determine if any right knee disability had its onset during active service or is related to any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50% to 10%, and his rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was restored from 20% to 40%. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but his back disorder related to heavy lifting and pain during service has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder ACL joint osteoarthritis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's lay accounts of in-service injuries are credible and outweigh the negative opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided to the Veteran was inadequate and remanded for a new examination. The issues of service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and right wrist ulnocarpal impaction syndrome are being remanded due to the need for clarification on the nature and cause of the Veteran's pre-service condition.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left knee instability is granted as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound injury.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new and relevant evidence for further review, including verification of service in Southwest Asia and potential toxic exposure during firefighting at Fort Knox.

The Veteran's left knee instability and right knee instability were granted service connection with effective dates of August 5, 2016 and September 5, 2017 respectively. The Veteran was also granted a separate rating for his right knee meniscal tear with frequent episodes of locking.,A compensable rating (20%) was granted for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, but granted a TDIU for the period from September 5, 2019, to October 18, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's hip conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for radiculopathy, wrist disabilities, and hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed as freestanding claims. The Board found that these claims lack legal merit.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis as they are not adequately addressed by the VA examinations provided.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and strain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of corroborating service treatment records in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and ratings related to various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain residuals with trochanteric pain syndrome, right shin splints, left shin splints, right knee strain residuals, and left knee strain residuals. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been granted service connection, effective from February 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at a 40 percent for right hip limitation of flexion under DC 5252.

The Veteran's hip osteoarthritis has been denied for ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.