Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis and his sleep apnea. The VA will need to obtain medical records and a history of the Veteran's weight gain and hip pain.

The Veteran's knee braces caused increased wear and tear on his pants, warranting annual VA clothing allowances for the year 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability, requiring further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining private medical records and requesting addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and tear with glenohumeral joint dislocation and degenerative arthritis was denied in September 2009. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not appeal the initial denial, and there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to overturn it. The claim was reopened on December 8, 2021, and service connection was granted with a rating of 20 percent effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, restoration of his rating for left ankle scarring, and an increased rating for his left Achilles tendon rupture with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right osteoarthritis posttraumatic shin as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 17, 2020 for the award of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for an updated examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates as the benefits sought have been granted in full.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements or other relevant evidence of record. The claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions are therefore remanded to obtain a new examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disabilities have been denied. The RO continued the existing 10 percent ratings for each joint.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion to make a determination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination in the previous decision. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was granted effective May 7, 2021.