Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder, including spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's spondylolisthesis is a congenital disease or defect, and if so, whether it was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to pain and functional loss. The issue of service connection for rhinitis remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative arthritis of the spine (low back condition) prior to March 27, 2018 is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The Board found no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as related to service. Tinnitus has been found to be related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional information and evidence, specifically SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip condition and a back condition due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran was scheduled for hip arthroplasty and had symptoms of arthritis, but there is insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for readjudication due to new evidence and argument submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip, finding that it is not related to a service-connected stress fracture and concluding that weight of evidence is against the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left-hand joints due to inadequate examination and lack of discussion regarding the Veteran's lay assertions. The case is now pending further development.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral nerve disabilities of the right and left lower extremities, finding no current disability other than service-connected sciatic radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various ankle, hip, and knee disabilities as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis first metatarsophalangeal joint with plantar fasciitis of the right foot.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of arthritis of the hands. The right foot and ankle disability is rated as 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for postoperative right ankle arthritis. The left leg and right leg disabilities are denied. Right hip and left hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was granted, effective June 20, 2018. The effective date is set at the earliest date of receipt of his formal increased rating claim on June 20, 2018.

The Veteran's lower back condition is service-connected as it began during his military service and has continued since then.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's left knee disability or right knee arthritis are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding his National Guard service.

The Veteran's PTSD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection, but the effective dates for these conditions are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%.