Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that continuity of symptomatology existed since service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding inadequate opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right hip degenerative joint disease, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve problem. The issues related to right knee degenerative arthritis are also remanded as they are intertwined with the IVDS claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel and ulnar neuropathy, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted a 30 percent disability rating effective April 5, 2022. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU from August 28, 2012, and basic eligibility for DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis (claimed as right knee injury in a fall), and left knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis (claimed as left knee chronic pain) are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and right ankle arthritis due to inadequate medical nexus opinions in the September 2024 decision.

The Veteran's right foot sprain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted initial disability ratings. Service connection has also been established for generalized anxiety disorder, a right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a retrospective examination to consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back conditions have been denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, while the left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, chronic right ankle disorder, and chronic left ankle disorder. Service connection was also denied for a genitourinary (GU) disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the appeal period and addressing his use of pain medication.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are each granted initial ratings of 40 percent effective April 14, 2011.,Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 14, 2011.

The Veteran's service connection claim for distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability (osteoarthritis), in-service incurrence or aggravation, and causal relationship between his current disability and his in-service disease.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back condition including osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and status-post lumbar laminectomy, and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

Service connection is granted for Contact Dermatitis and Right Knee Osteoarthritis.,The claim for Hypertension remains pending as it requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and not higher.,The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension, is rated at 10 percent and not higher.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder unspecified is granted with a 70 percent rating effective from December 8, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 40 percent rating effective from July 2, 2024.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative arthritis with muscle and joint pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypertension, and left ear hearing loss have all been dismissed due to concurrent elections of review options.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether his current condition is related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The evidence is not in approximate balance.,Service connection for osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied due to lack of a showing of chronicity during service or within the applicable presumptive period.