Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 30% effective February 10, 2014.,The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30% effective November 18, 1994. The Veteran also received a separate 20% rating for instability of the right knee and a 20% rating for meniscal tear of the left knee.

The Veteran's chronic pain syndrome is granted as secondary to her service-connected osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for residuals of meningitis, right foot disability, and left foot disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 11, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent on and after August 11, 2016, for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and strain residuals; ratings in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2016 is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial disability rating of 10 percent was maintained for the lumbosacral strain, and a higher rating of 20 percent was granted from January 30, 2024 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 14, 2005 for SMC based on housebound status is granted. The decision finds that the Veteran has a single disability rated as total (left knee disability via extraschedular TDIU from February 25, 2005) and separate service-connected disabilities ratable at a combined 60 percent disabling (acquired psychiatric disorder at 70 percent from July 14, 2005), as required by the law.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient basis in the VA clinician's opinion. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine current severity of conditions.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 5, 1998 for the award of service connection for left knee disability. The claim for earlier effective date for right knee disability is denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, right knee and left hip conditions have been remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and remanded several issues related to service connection, rating increases, and unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of right hip degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination and lack of opinion.

Service connection for a neck disability is granted due to degenerative changes of the cervical spine within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hammertoes is denied as there is no evidence showing they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for low back disability due to a lack of medical evidence addressing its etiology. The Veteran's contentions about her in-service injuries and symptoms will be considered, along with any relevant post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee meniscal tear, status post lateral meniscectomy (limited flexion) due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is required to obtain a new examination report that addresses the severity of the Veteran's conditions during the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as the Board finds that his left knee disability and cervical spine disability are related to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for neoplasm of the left kidney remains denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The disability was restored to its previous 30 percent rating effective December 21, 2023.