Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring a new VA examination for right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the June 2018 VA examination. The Veteran contends his current knee conditions are related to his active duty service as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 6, 2017 for the grant of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and scars. The decision is based on the finality of previous rating decisions and the lack of a pending claim before the current effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will schedule a new examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 10 percent, effective July 11, 2015.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease status post vertebral fracture is also rated at 10 percent, effective July 11, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left wrist disabilities as secondary to service-connected carpel tunnel disabilities due to inadequate medical opinion regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 29, 2021, and a rating greater than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, IVDS, and thoracic fusion was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date considered is October 29, 2021.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection and initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. Service connection for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and hypertension. The evidence shows that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis developed due to his service-connected right knee disability, and he also has a current diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining and considering certain records, including SSA disability claim records and in-service hospital records. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a 20 percent disability level, with forward flexion limited to 45 degrees.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been secured with respect to the claim of cervical spine condition (claimed as neck pain), and therefore, reconsideration is warranted. The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees was aggravated beyond its natural progression due to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent and later combined into a single rating of 10 percent effective February 1, 2018, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of marked limitation of motion in any time period.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending claims and appeals, including those related to bronchitis, dermatitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee strain, low back strain, multiple scars on the left side of body, sinusitis with headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for right knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed as it is a freestanding claim not subject to review in the context of this appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to need for clarification on whether the condition involves the meniscus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is not enough evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. Claims for increased ratings of various hip and knee disorders, as well as left leg shin splints, were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right-hand disabilities, including degenerative arthritis, trigger fingers, and De Quervain tenosynovitis. The Veteran is asked to provide records from any healthcare providers who have treated her for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for left knee disability and TBI were denied. The Board found that the symptomatology did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.