Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner that addresses whether the left knee disability had its onset in service, is related to service, or was aggravated by the right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 11, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis / osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine at L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's current lower back condition is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran experienced in-service injuries and chronic symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee tendinitis with osteoarthritis and a compensable rating for limitation of extension prior to November 13, 2023, and in excess of 40 percent from that date is denied. The TDIU claim prior to April 20, 2018, is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and psychotic features, obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and a left leg pain, swelling, and weakness disability due to the lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee strain status post meniscectomy is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to July 26, 2021 and 10 percent thereafter. The right knee disability remains rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various spinal and nerve conditions has been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The claims are subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,A new rating decision grants a 20 percent initial rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and disc bulges, osteoarthropathy and lumbar osteoarthritis from April 4, 2015 to November 21, 2023. The Veteran's condition is characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were continuous since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection due to a low back injury during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective dates for various disabilities, and SMC at the housebound rate. The representative requested earlier effective dates for multiple conditions and disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has found that the claims for restoration of a 10 percent disability rating and for an effective date prior to August 28, 2018, are remanded due to new evidence received after the September 2023 SOC.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded several issues of service connection due to his active military service. The issues of service connection for OSA, bilateral knee conditions, headaches, right-hand condition, left-hand condition, and left hip condition are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several musculoskeletal and neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis may be associated with his service, but there is insufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and another remand is required before service connection for a right foot disability can be adjudicated.