Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level or flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees.

The Board has dismissed all issues of increased evaluations and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected myospasm of the lumbar spine, and remanded the issue of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for arthritis of the toes of the right foot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the last VA examination report, which did not include range of motion measurements and failed to address functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for this condition.,Service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee condition, right hip disability, and left hip disability is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability, finding that the current right knee disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not show a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.,Service connection for a left leg condition was also denied due to lack of aggravation during service. The Veteran's current knee disability is more likely attributed to post-service heavy work.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis prior to January 9, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to less than 60 degrees at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right arm disability and to clarify its cause. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the submission of additional evidence and a need for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from November 25, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the directives of the August 2023 Board remand and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorders had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including physical demands and an in-service fall while carrying 109-mm howitzer rounds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis prior to November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis from November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for cancer of the head and neck, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired vision disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as instability in both knees. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that symptoms had onset in service and have continued to the present.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions.