Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine began during active service and is related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups at different examination times.

The Board has denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left foot and knee disabilities, and has remanded his claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his service-connected back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus, the application to reopen the previously denied heart condition claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced chronic symptoms of migraines since her separation from service, and there is sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension, flexion, and abduction/adduction. The effective date assigned was March 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new examination is needed to properly assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The appeals for increased evaluations of osteoarthritis and bilateral hernia repair have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent, effective August 11, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 20 percent ratings, effective August 11, 2014 and April 29, 2019 respectively. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 15, 2012. His right foot fibromatosis and left foot fibromatosis are granted service connection. His bilateral hip strains are secondary to his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete SPRs and inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's left-knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at 30 percent since January 6, 2016. The rating for instability of the left knee is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. Additionally, he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities, but these issues were previously addressed in a January 2021 remand.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to her inservice injury and symptoms have continued since service.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with meniscal involvement is currently rated at 20 percent, which includes a separate 20 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for painful limited motion. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus tear, is currently rated at 10 percent for painful limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for painful limitation of extension since May 10, 2013. The Veteran also receives a 10 percent rating for slight right knee instability since the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The examiner was not provided with a full history from the Veteran, which may have affected their conclusion.

The Veteran's right knee pain with meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis and osteoarthritis, status post arthroscopic surgeries with residual pain and reduced ROM, as well as patellofemoral pain syndrome began during active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.