Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for L2-L5 lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's insomnia disorder claim was also denied, with a 30% rating being assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including early osteoarthritis and dislocated semilunar cartilage with locking and effusion, has been rated based on the severity of symptoms such as pain, instability, and joint locking. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under current criteria.,A separate 20 percent rating for moderate right knee instability effective May 13, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his left knee disability prior to July 21, 2021 is denied. For the period from September 1, 2022, an initial evaluation higher than 60 percent for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is denied, and the issue of service connection for a left-hand sensory disturbance as secondary to his service-connected wrist condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that COPD is not due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for right knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition secondary to his right knee condition and granted this claim.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The appeal was remanded due to issues related to lower extremity neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his bilateral knee disabilities and a VA aid and attendance examination. The issues of increased ratings for the left and right knees, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopic repair and ACL reconstruction is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since March 25, 2015.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral osteoarthritis of AC joints are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's left bicep condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of adequate medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence and additional development needed.

The Veteran's claimed spinal conditions are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service and do not qualify under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of documentation regarding the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service or other factors. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to November 16, 2017, and since February 1, 2019, is denied.,For the period prior to November 16, 2017, the Veteran was not entitled to an increased rating as he did not experience limitation of motion or painful limited motion that met the criteria for a compensable rating under specific knee codes based on limitation of motion. The Board also found no additional functional loss due to pain.,Since February 1, 2019, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis to include intervertebral disc degeneration is denied. The reduction in ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy from March 2, 2017 is void ab initio. Claims for TDIU are granted and dismissed as moot.