Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it lacks jurisdiction to review the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis and left leg radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the submission of a VA Form 10182 opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) from September 2023 and November 2023 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. Additionally, his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion; a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of extension; a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability based on recurrent instability; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of semilunar removal, meniscectomy, of the right knee. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee anterior instability with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia with recurrent patella dislocation and degenerative arthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder conditions due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins and basal cell carcinoma have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for degenerative joint disease (to include osteoarthritis).,Service connection for varicose veins is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty, and the Veteran's condition is more likely caused by risk factors such as obesity and age.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied due to lack of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and insufficient medical opinion supporting a link between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinions were inadequate, necessitating further developments to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, low back degenerative arthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder with right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his right hip disorder (degenerative arthritis), finding that these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The issues of service connection for left and right hip condition and left and right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tear are rated at 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted from March 27, 2016 to March 1, 2022, and a 30 percent rating is granted from March 1, 2022.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral knee conditions have been reinstated, but his claims seeking increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 8, 2016, for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee with limitation of extension and impairment of instability is granted. The claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for both disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's right hip condition is granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hip pain and credible statements supporting his claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of diagnosed disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, shoulder, and hand conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or causation in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records. The Veteran's right hand disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lower lumbar, previously evaluated as degenerative arthritis of the spine, was reopened and granted. The effective date is set at May 1, 2018.,Service connection for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent. The effective date for this grant is also set at May 1, 2018.