Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for right knee torn lateral meniscus prior to March 8, 2016 and remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for right knee flexion and extension.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disability was aggravated during service, warranting service connection.,Service connection is granted for a right knee disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to effective dates and ratings for various knee and hip conditions. The Board has determined that the claims are not yet ready for appellate consideration.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his right total knee replacement, but the evidence does not support a prior effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for abnormal menstrual cycle, hearing loss, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, lumbar muscle strain and degenerative arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease), and pelvic muscle spasms due to mild diastasis of the pubic symphysis have been dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are all granted.,The Veteran's hearing loss, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder were previously denied but new evidence has now reopened these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but has remanded her claims for evaluations of her spine and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's hip disabilities, including right and left hip bursitis, were granted service connection from July 13, 2006. The effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left hip disabilities is set at July 13, 2006.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and stomach condition are remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because no VA examiner has provided a nexus opinion on its presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The Veteran's total potential toxic exposure throughout his military service must also be considered.,The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions are remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiology, specifically considering his in-service injuries and repetitive jumping with a 100-pound backpack on his back.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine its etiology, specifically considering his in-service right ankle sprain.

An effective date of May 6, 2015 is granted for the grant of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine (back disability).,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his back disability is denied. The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS that would warrant a higher rating.,A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 11, 2022, is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's right shoulder disability rating from 40% to 20%, effective August 1, 2017, was improper and restored the original 40% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification of the medical opinions provided, as they do not address all theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met, except for a March 29, 2013 effective date for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease and bilateral hip strain.

The Board has decided to remand four of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and one for service connection due to outdated examination reports. The Veteran will need new examinations for his bipolar disorder, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his military service, but a VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the remaining claims can be decided. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also facing a TDIU claim that is being remanded as well.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including increased ratings and a TDIU determination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, including limitation of extension and flexion, is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2023.