Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has restored service connection for left hip disorders, including osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, as they are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and residuals of status-post left knee arthroscopy, is on appeal for service connection. The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the May 2021 rating decision and has ordered remand to obtain an adequate VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis, chondromalacia and strain. The decision is based on evidence showing a current disability (bilateral knee disabilities), an in-service injury or event (chronic bilateral knee pain during both periods of service), and a nexus between the current disabilities and the disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome to 50 percent effective September 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative arthritis, finding that it is due to military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Service connection was denied for athletes foot, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and tendinitis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected right shoulder disability as it has been fully addressed in a previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience. The Board finds the totality of the evidence more probative than his lay statements in determining that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability with total knee replacement, effective October 18, 2020. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial in February 1994.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee disorders.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,An initial 30 percent rating is granted for left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm bicep strain, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain aspects of his claims, including the onset of his knee and shoulder disabilities during service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity were denied as they predate the date entitlement arose.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis limitation of extension was denied as it predated the date entitlement arose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current diagnosis is caused by or proximately due to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete or inadequate examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence, including private treatment records and FMLA/employment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including private medical records and x-rays.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle ankylosis with degenerative arthritis status post multiple reconstructive surgeries, finding that there is no persuasive medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of osteoarthritis of the left and right shoulders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The Board also found that there are issues regarding service connection for elbow osteoarthritis which require further examination.