Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain and right knee strain with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's IVDS with back injury residuals with osteoarthritis was not rated higher than 40 percent prior to January 30, 2024, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for cervicalgia, left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis are remanded due to a duty to assist error in obtaining his service treatment records.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD, excoriation disorder, and multiple substance use disorders is granted as of May 19, 2020. The effective dates for the other conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's right knee instability and osteoarthritis have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent from February 27, 2003 to July 21, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for low back disability, hypertension, tinnitus, and a mental disorder are dismissed.

The Veteran's disability ratings for cervical spine IVDS, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were restored to their previous levels.,An increased disability rating of 40% was granted for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine from January 10, 2023.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by weight gain associated with his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and associated neurological disabilities, and TDIU. The case will be remanded to obtain additional VA examination opinions and address the issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder is granted service connection, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding PTSD ratings and back disability ratings.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 30 percent effective December 28, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS is now rated at 20 percent effective December 28, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including its onset during service and any relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining private treatment records from Blessing Hospital and Blessing Physician Services Behavioral Health. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it affects the DEA eligibility claim.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.