Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, low back condition (lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome), and chronic headaches.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement surgery, based on the presumption of chronicity due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left wrist, status post fracture; service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus; and service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis. The Veteran will need new VA examinations for these issues.

Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and unclear opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding a left knee disability and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were inadequate to adjudicate the issue on appeal and requires additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current low back disorders, which include degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis of the lower back.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 7, 2016 was denied as his service-connected left knee disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee conditions due to service connection, as they are secondary to service-connected hip and/or lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's representative requested an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of a causal relationship established by VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability prior to August 30, 2021 and thereafter, and a compensable disability rating for chronic headaches prior to August 30, 2021 and an increased rating thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, acromioclavicular joint ostearthritis, and dislocation had its onset during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and are related to his in-service diagnosis of chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's service connection claims for DJD of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been granted. The Board has also remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran's neck, upper leg/hip, and headache conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and right ankle degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 7, 2019. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome (limitation of flexion) and extension were denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.