Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 6, 2022, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain have been dismissed.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis was denied, as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of private treatment records, which may affect service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and degenerative arthritis, finding that his current disability began during active service with continuity of symptoms to the present.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that symptoms began during service and have persisted since.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, including glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, is granted but with a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from February 5, 2025 and granted a TDIU effective October 16, 2023. The rating for IVDS and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis remains at 20 percent from December 12, 2022 to April 6, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease with dialysis, diabetic peripheral neuropathies of various extremities, erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and bilateral knee replacements, do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was no qualifying exposure to toxic environmental exposures during service.

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, is due to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and a need for further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis is due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the April 2025 VA examination report, which did not include range-of-motion testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, neck disorder, left hip and right hip disorders, left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, and left knee and right knee disorders. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is not entitled to a rating higher than 10 percent. The claims for service connection of right and left ear hearing loss and left knee disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, but the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and bursitis are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the current condition and active duty service.