Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for unspecified depressive disorder, left knee disability (claimed as a left leg condition), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar radiculopathy have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, in excess of 10 percent from September 4, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent from June 30, 2022, is denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) for the initial rating period from September 4, 2009 to November 10, 2021.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the hands and feet due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee semilunar cartilage condition and osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar strain with mild degenerative spondylitic change, right knee osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease (DJD), and plantar fasciitis as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and elbow conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus to active service.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of frostbite of the feet (polyneuropathy), with the Board concluding that there is no direct link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, asthma, and sinus condition were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for headaches was granted.,The Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, back condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder. The claim for service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and right shoulder tendinopathy with strain are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his employment from January 2016 to March 2019 was considered marginal due to a work-related motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee replacement and right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The SMC issue is remanded as it cannot be adjudicated until the initial ratings and effective dates are assigned.

The Veteran's right hip disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with moderate spondylosis (claimed as back injury) due to a lack of evidence showing that his current condition began during or was related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current right knee disorders and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including its relationship to service.

Effective dates of July 1, 2015, have been granted for the initial ratings of 50% for bilateral plantar fasciitis, 10% for thoracic spine degenerative joint disease, and 10% for right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis and synovitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and granted a 20 percent rating for lateral instability as of September 11, 2017. The claim for TDIU was denied.