Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and heart disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim of menstrual dysfunction was not granted as there is no evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment related to her Persian Gulf service. Claims for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities were also denied due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50% prior to February 27, 2020, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome warrants a 40% rating.

Your appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with these claims as they are now inactive.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent prior to January 9, 2022, for her service-connected left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. Other claims for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent since November 4, 2022. A separate rating of 10 percent for shortening of the left lower extremity was granted. The issue of TDIU is moot.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, and cervical spondylosis, right lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic / recurrent), and left lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic / recurrent).

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee conditions have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their current severity, which does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated based on its secondary service connection theory, while his left shoulder osteoarthritis remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tendinitis are now rated at 30% effective July 30, 2016. The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70%. A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle fracture distal tibia and remanded his claims for initial compensable ratings for nephrolithiasis/kidney stones, degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, bicipital tendon tear, right, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or TDIU due to a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of mental health disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stone condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine associated with ankylosing spondylitis, and left hip condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, left knee, and right knee disabilities are now considered service-connected. The sleep apnea was also granted.,Service connection for the bilateral feet is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to conflicting medical findings. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it was expressly raised by the Veteran in connection with his knee disability claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back and right knee braces, used to treat service-connected disabilities, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Veteran was granted annual clothing allowances for the 2011 calendar year for a back brace and a right knee brace. Shoe insoles were not granted as they did not cause damage to his clothing.