Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of PTSD due to a full grant of benefits. The Veteran's PFB and left knee disability were granted with appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with osteoarthritis was denied as his flexion did not reach the level of 30 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long finger disabilities are rated at 10 percent each. The little finger disability is rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's fracture of the fifth little finger with residual strain and degenerative arthritis is also rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 22, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 19, 2020, for the grant of service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose before that date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to procedural error.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from August 6, 2019.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right hip, and low back disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to her active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 27, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his last day of full-time employment was November 19, 2020.

The Board has determined that the February 2021 VA examination for the right knee disability is inadequate and remanded to obtain a new examination. The Veteran contends he should be awarded a higher rating due to his symptoms, including pain during active and passive range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left knee and hip degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be the cause of her current left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran also has a current right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, which she attributes to injuries sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is granted effective May 28, 2021. An earlier effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's previously reduced ratings for right hip degenerative osteoarthritis and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, effective August 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TMD and a higher initial disability rating for TMD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2020. For service connection of left knee and right knee disabilities, the Board found no probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder dislocation and instability with glenohumeral osteoarthritis, finding that it is not related to his in-service left shoulder disability or any other in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand all four issues related to service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional examinations and opinions.