Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination reports, particularly regarding whether the diagnoses are consistent with service-connected conditions and if there is ankylosis or functional ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, a back disorder, a right knee disorder, degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, PFB, and bilateral foot skin disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from August 13, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine conditions, finding that they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for painful, noncompensable motion. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding service connection for a right shoulder disability. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and strain is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are rated at 40 percent from December 7, 2018 to his death. The other conditions have been granted initial ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis originated during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on multiple conditions, including right knee strain, constipation, and rhinitis. The claims are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were denied higher ratings prior to January 21, 2022, and from that date onwards. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, painful scar -back (secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar disc displacement and failed back syndrome osteoarthritis), and right hand disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is granted as service connected.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 5, 2018 for higher ratings of 20 percent for both right and left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left leg, right leg, lumbar spine, left hip osteoarthritis, or right hip osteoarthritis disabilities. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post subluxation fixation surgery is rated at 40 percent from August 1, 2009 to March 2, 2021 (excluding the temporary 100 percent rating from September 29, 2015 to November 1, 2015).

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability due to unclear information from previous examinations.