Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical herniated disc, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis, also claimed as joint pain, due to errors in assisting the Veteran and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not had a single disability rated at 60 percent disabling, or a disability rated at least 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, upper back and lower surgical scars, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the LLE were granted effective March 17, 2021. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no evidence to support such.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings for these conditions during the periods specified.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding constrictive bronchitis due to lack of ripeness. The claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and right knee disability are denied as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims of service connection for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis. However, due to new evidence received since the last denial, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various hip, knee, and back conditions as well as hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a current disability during or immediately prior to the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left knee, and right hip conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses are presumptively related to his active service due to exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his psychiatric condition, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and right hip replacement have been denied as a matter of law due to failure to respond to VA efforts in scheduling necessary medical examinations.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2022 due to the use of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine braces, which caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including restrictive lung disease, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left wrist strain with degenerative arthritis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residual of right ear otitis media, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the period from August 27, 2003 to August 21, 2014. The Board found that he was capable of performing sedentary work with a sit/stand accommodation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ should consider separate ratings for any associated neurological conditions.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the severity of his symptoms and limitations.

The reduction of the disability rating for spinal stenosis with disc protrusion, degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper as there is no sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition that would be reasonably maintained under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted service connection. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, subluxation status post meniscectomy, and scars are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee surgery, a compensable rating for ACL tear and osteoarthritis with instability, and TDIU from June 7, 2016. The additional evidence received since the February 2024 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be considered.