Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the condition was a congenital defect not aggravated by service.

An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). An initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for these conditions is denied.,An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria. An earlier effective date for service connection for low back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for right knee disability. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion, but his shin splints do not meet criteria for a separate rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and cervical radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity, a result of immobility due to service-connected disabilities, exacerbated the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 3, 2025, for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis of thoracic and lumbar spine is denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for this condition is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the March 2025 rating decision, requiring an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve (PACT Act), and bilateral hip/ankle osteoarthritis have been granted with effective dates. DEA eligibility has also been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a combined effects opinion is necessary to sufficiently address the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left 5th finger degenerative arthritis, left testicle pain, heartburn, and headache disorder. Service connection was denied for hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current disabilities are not established, and thus his claims for service connection must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis with posterior tibial tendinitis prior to August 30, 2020 is being remanded due to the AOJ not ensuring proper notification of a scheduled VA examination and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for an eye disability, increased evaluations for service-connected disabilities, and entitlement to a TDIU due to outstanding treatment records needing to be obtained and medical opinions needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and her bilateral knee disabilities are related to in-service training exercises.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with lumbar strain is granted. The claims for higher initial ratings for GERD, cholecystectomy, surgical scar, and hypertension are dismissed. The issue of service connection for bilateral leg disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal of his right ear hearing loss claim is dismissed. His claims for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and several other conditions are granted. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee arthralgia, degenerative arthritis, and genu varus deformity as there is no evidence that these conditions manifested within a year of discharge or were otherwise incurred in service.