Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including limited flexion and extension, lateral instability, and arthroscopy residuals, has been granted a 60 percent rating since December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure.,The scar on the right hand does not warrant a compensable rating.,Higher or separate ratings for hip disabilities are denied.,Increased ratings for knee conditions are granted.,Right knee instability and meniscal tear of the right knee are also granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression/anxiety, a right knee condition, and initial increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed. The Veteran's claims for an initial increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are also dismissed.

The Veteran's right femur fracture residuals with leg length discrepancy and hip osteoarthritis are rated at 40 percent prior to February 13, 2020, for limitation of thigh flexion. The rating is denied after that date.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for occipital neuralgia was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right foot disability. The claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and a thorough examination.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with painful motion and limitation on flexion is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to November 2, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy, right knee disability, and diabetes as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's right knee disability and GERD are related to service, with consideration of his lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right foot condition, and chronic headache condition. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,There was no clear link between any of the Veteran’s current diagnoses (facet arthritis, osteoarthritis, and migraines) and his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action, including service connection for a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. The initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 25, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder), but denied service connection for hypertension, eczema, and a low back disability. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and a separate rating of 10 percent for instability from October 1, 2018 to January 24, 2022. The Board has remanded the case due to issues with his right knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and IVDS of the cervical spine, as well as right trapezius strain with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. The appeal for a right eye or vision disability and bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 13, 2017, and a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was denied an initial compensable rating prior to December 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for COPD, back injury, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is pending further clarification from a medical opinion regarding the nature of any congenital conditions.