Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for these conditions are all denied as the evidence does not support direct service connection.

The Veteran's right knee mild chondromalacia patella and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated as 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The lumbar strain has also been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's service connection claims for insomnia (claimed as major depression), erectile dysfunction, and TDIU due to a service-connected disability are all remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected back scar and an earlier effective date for service connection. The reduction from 40% to 20% in the disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was found proper based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 2016 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements and a previous medical opinion.

The Veteran's back disability was reduced from a 40 percent rating to a 10 percent rating, which the Board found improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board denied separate compensable evaluations for right knee conditions and service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee condition is now granted.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease, effective from May 3, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings and effective dates related to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from October 1, 2014, to July 8, 2020. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to August 10, 2021, and greater than 20 percent thereafter was denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as due to service-connected bilateral sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine and denied a higher rating for bilateral sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders and neck are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia. Additionally, a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the overlap with other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle disability. The claim for service connection of a left knee disability was remanded.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions, and the current disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 5, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited flexion.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the right knee status-post ACL joint reconstruction, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by a parachuting injury in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the cervical spine disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's left knee disability has rendered him unable to secure and follow gainful employment since August 20, 2021. His other service-connected conditions do not prevent him from working.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve condition of the left upper extremity was denied. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. For the entire appeal period, entitlement to a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and a 20 percent rating for right knee instability are granted.