Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has restored the Veteran's left and right knee ratings to 20 percent effective November 16, 2022. The issues of increased rating for knees prior to August 18, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 24, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is an additional disability superimposed upon his congenital deformity and whether his left knee degenerative arthritis is related to his service, including in-service reports of pain and stiffness behind the left knee.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hips and knees are granted.,Service connection is also granted for left hip degenerative arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist degenerative arthritis, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder due to deficiencies in prior examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular disability ratings and TDIU due to a lack of clarity in whether the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for limitation of flexion prior to March 29, 2023 and for a higher rating for limitation of flexion beginning March 29, 2023. The claim for eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee disability was rated at 10% prior to August 28, 2018, and the left knee disability was rated at 10% prior to May 29, 2018, with a 30% rating granted since December 13, 2022. The Veteran is now receiving TDIU effective June 20, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis has been granted, as new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of right shoulder arthritis and an in-service injury leading to his condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that symptoms were noted in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners supported the denial, citing lack of chronicity during or after service and alternative causes such as post-service work activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to new evidence not having been considered in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with DJD and osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a TDIU rating due to a single service-connected disability, and SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant. However, he is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a vision disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for right foot degenerative arthritis, with the Board finding that the current disability is related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current lumbar spine disabilities and service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and TDIU due to inadequate examination records and failure to address certain issues.