Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to insufficient medical information and the need to obtain updated treatment records. The claims include earlier effective dates and evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (now claimed as knee pain), residuals of cold injury of the bilateral hands, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for instability has been granted. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service.,Service connection for chronic lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine arthritis) is also granted based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 10 percent before October 6, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent before October 6, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's OSA was incurred during service, if it is at least as likely as not caused by his weight gain due to his back disability, and if so, whether it would have occurred without the aggravation of obesity from his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his left knee degenerative arthritis prior to April 26, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to April 26, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and headaches, but denied service connection for atrial fibrillation and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as right and left knee chondrocalcinosis.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 28, 2012, for the grant of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further medical records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and left shoulder labral tear post-surgery.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the loss of Veteran's service treatment records. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral leg injuries, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, left ankle strain, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include MDD with cocaine and alcohol dependence and PTSD) has been granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to warrant reopening these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent hand, hip, and foot disabilities to include degenerative arthritis, all claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for various other disabilities. The decision also denies ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine DJD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension were restored to their previous levels due to improper reduction.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not result in limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less prior to July 27, 2019.,Prior to July 27, 2019, the Veteran's right knee instability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for unstable angina and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) has been denied.