Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions started during service and continue to present.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable and excess ratings for migraines prior to January 8, 2018, and on and after January 8, 2018, have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and annular tears has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss or knee disorders as they were determined to be unrelated to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left elbow osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is denied because there is no in-service injury or disease and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after separation from service.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is granted as the Veteran's current condition can be linked to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee prior to August 6, 2021 based on limitation of motion. From August 6, 2021, the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or extension limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the lower extremities due to conflicting opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a torn rotator cuff and glenohumeral osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service. The examiner must also assess whether the condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hand disabilities are related to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 2021, and the Board finds no evidence of additional loss of motion or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for service connection for a groin or testicular disability is remanded.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed respiratory, bilateral knee, or groin/testicular conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including hallux valgus, hammertoes, callosities, and osteoarthritis, is found to be service-connected as these conditions are considered to have been caused by or incurred in military service.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella is granted service connection. The issues of bilateral knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and a need for new opinions from an examiner other than Dr. Sirisha Koneru.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or other complications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the skeletal system and hypertension due to issues with proper notice, lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives, and new evidence suggesting a possible secondary service-connection claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, is rated at 20 percent since April 23, 2013. A separate rating for limited flexion remains denied.