Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for left knee chondromalacia resulting in osteoarthritis, sinusitis, anosmia, and eczema has been granted with effective dates of July 31, 2015.,An earlier effective date than March 23, 2017 is granted for the reduction in rating for hypothyroidism.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain as the evidence did not show a nexus to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back disabilities, including ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's migraines are also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis and headaches prior to specific dates were denied.,For the period before August 10, 2022, the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis was rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's back condition has been rated at 10 percent since June 30, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension and flexion disabilities have been rated under the appropriate VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. A 10 percent rating, but not higher, is granted for each hip extension.,A 20 percent rating, but not higher, is granted for limitation of flexion in the left hip.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected urethral stricture and right shoulder disability are being remanded for further review. The appeal also includes a request to reopen the claim for chronic kidney disease, which is related to the urethral stricture.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied from November 27, 2012 due to his full-time employment at VA and the Department of the Navy. Despite having a combined disability rating of 80%, he maintained substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination reports and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability over the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective August 1, 2022.,Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied prior to August 1, 2022. Ratings of 20 percent are granted beginning on August 1, 2022.,Ratings for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied prior to August 1, 2022. Ratings of 20 percent are granted beginning on August 1, 2022.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings and effective dates for various knee, back, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition is due to an in-service injury, while her right foot plantar fasciitis is secondary to her left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right and left knees each receiving a 20% rating for instability. The right knee also received a 10% rating for flexion limitation, while the left knee received a 10% rating for extension limitation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder slap tear, degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left knee disability, TBI, tinnitus, asthma, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service-connected. The issues of right knee, left knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right hip disability evaluation from 10% to 30%, effective August 1, 2020, based on evidence showing improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle.