Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine, with chronic low back pain was rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion.,The postoperative scar, lumbar spine, was rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7805. The Veteran's scar does not result in limitation of function to warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE are rated at 40 percent beginning April 9, 2019.,A higher rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for right shoulder arthritis is granted, with an effective date of March 20, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding various disabilities, including ratings for knee and elbow conditions, pes planus, hearing loss, and scars. The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,The Board has remanded several issues including: Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Left ankle peroneal tendonitis, Right ankle disability, Left foot disability (to include hammer toes and arthritis), Right foot disability (to include hammer toes and arthritis), and Skin disorder (other than eczema, to include basal cell carcinoma).

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right tibia and fibula fracture with degenerative changes of the right knee.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 16, 2016, for the grants of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity were denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the lower left extremity was granted, subject to further review.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) is granted service connection. The left wrist fracture, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculitis from October 19, 2011 onwards is being remanded due to the need for further examination. His initial claim for a higher rating prior to January 6, 2009 for left lower extremity radiculitis has been granted.

The Veteran's Lumbo-Forte back brace for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not cause wear and tear to his clothing, thus denying an annual VA clothing allowance for 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional action is required before the decision can be finalized. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of the issues with consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, the bilateral hearing loss claim requires additional evidence as it was not adequately addressed in the previous examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with strain with degenerative arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service or preexisting conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, to include spondylolisthesis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for neck condition and right knee disability, leading to the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back and left knee disabilities, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for discounting the Veteran's lay assertions of unemployability, as well as insufficient discussion on why he is capable of substantially gainful employment. An updated VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and functional impact of his right ulnar neuropathy.