Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been granted service connection, effective from February 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at a 40 percent for right hip limitation of flexion under DC 5252.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and strain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of corroborating service treatment records in the Veteran's case.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new and relevant evidence for further review, including verification of service in Southwest Asia and potential toxic exposure during firefighting at Fort Knox.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues. The effective date of March 9, 2018, is granted for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's left knee instability and right knee instability were granted service connection with effective dates of August 5, 2016 and September 5, 2017 respectively. The Veteran was also granted a separate rating for his right knee meniscal tear with frequent episodes of locking.,A compensable rating (20%) was granted for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for left knee strain, as well as an error in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, but granted a TDIU for the period from September 5, 2019, to October 18, 2021.

The Veteran's hip osteoarthritis has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and limitations, with some conditions receiving higher ratings due to specific functional impairments.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's hip conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for radiculopathy, wrist disabilities, and hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed as freestanding claims. The Board found that these claims lack legal merit.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee instability, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected left knee residuals status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis, has been remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis as they are not adequately addressed by the VA examinations provided.

The Veteran's right knee incomplete ligament tear and strain with degenerative arthritis post ACL reconstruction are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee strain and lumbosacral strain are also rated at 10 percent each.