Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board has denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's preexisting pes planus disability was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, to include plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis of the feet.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to her service. The Veteran needs a new examination to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip status post replacement, finding that it was caused by his service-connected left foot and ankle degenerative arthritis with loss of use of the left lower extremity below the knee. The decision is based on a private medical opinion from Dr. C.P., who concluded that the Veteran's altered gait due to his left foot and ankle condition accelerated his right hip arthritis, necessitating the need for a total hip replacement.

The Veteran's left leg condition, including a fracture and subsequent surgery, is service-connected as it occurred during active duty.,The Veteran's left ankle condition, including tendonitis, is service-connected as it also occurred during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it had onset in, or is otherwise related to, active military service and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected disabilities, including chronic pain from his service-connected knee and psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability are remanded for appropriate examinations to determine their current severity with consideration of functional impairment on employability.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability are remanded for appropriate examinations to determine their current severity with consideration of functional impairment on employability.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is remanded for an appropriate examination to determine its current severity.,Earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and ratings for the Veteran's left knee disability and depressive disorder are remanded as they may be related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claims are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective April 18, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claims for headaches and left foot skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbar spine condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's left elbow condition is not service-connected as it is attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected and the Board found no separate diagnosis for this issue.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability is granted. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for TBI and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left upper extremity (LUE) cervical radiculopathy on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and have continued since service.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection for various eye and joint conditions due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's polyosteoarthritis to include bilateral shoulders, sternum, sternoclavicular joints, lower costochondral junction, left hip, bilateral knees and bilateral feet was granted service connection.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.