Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee instability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee residuals status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee incomplete ligament tear and strain with degenerative arthritis post ACL reconstruction are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee strain and lumbosacral strain are also rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for left knee strain. The Veteran's claim is being returned to obtain further clarification on whether his condition is related to active service or aggravated by his service-connected left foot achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 11, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome - lumbar spine associated with left knee strain has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 28, 2013, for service connection of his spinal disability. The claim was received on that date and the Board found it appropriate as the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately accounts for the Veteran's symptoms, including pain and difficulty with impact activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues. The effective date of March 9, 2018, is granted for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been remanded.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been remanded.,The Veteran's appeals regarding the effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and Dependents' Educational Assistance have been remanded.,The Veteran's appeal regarding restoration of special monthly compensation for the loss of use, deafness of both ears, has been remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to a failure to comply with an October 2019 Board decision regarding transfer of paper records into VBMS.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the current condition is not etiologically related to an in-service injury and there are no chronic symptoms of arthritis during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right hip disability based on limitation of flexion, a compensable rating for a right hip disability based on limitation of abduction, and a compensable rating for a right hip disability based on limitation of extension. The remand is due to inadequate September 2023 VA examination report and medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability was rated at 30 percent from June 14, 2021. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the condition effective from that date.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to service-connected shin splints and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.,The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that her knee disabilities or plantar fasciitis were related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The effective date is set at January 19, 2023.

The appeal of the March 2022 administrative decision is dismissed as moot. The AOJ accepted an October 2022 HLR request for review of the November 2020 denial of an increased rating for a low back disability and issued a December 2022 HLR rating decision. The right hip disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates, with the exception of a 10% increase in disability rating for tinnitus from October 29, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran did not become unemployable within one year prior to October 29, 2018.