Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and awarded a temporary total disability rating for the Veteran's surgery. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran incurred an injury during service, which resulted in current symptoms of degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The bilateral foot disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Board found no evidence indicating that the Veteran filed a claim prior to July 25, 2013, and thus could not assign an earlier effective date. For the TDIU issue, the Board determined that there was at least equipoise evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2019.

The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each. However, his low back disability, surgical scars, and TDIU claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was previously rated at 10 percent, but a September 2018 rating decision granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective June 6, 2018.,From August 1, 2017 onward, the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent until his death on June 6, 2018. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent after June 6, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals before the Board regarding service connection for cervical spine strain with arthritis, left and right upper extremity numbness and pain, a bilateral knee disorder, and residuals of a right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hallux valgus and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary theories of entitlement, as well as inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for low back pain and TDIU due to incomplete records, including those from June 2018. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected, with the effective date set at January 23, 1977.,Service connection for verruca plantaris and left hand degenerative arthritis (left hand condition) are denied. Service connection for hepatitis C remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no greater, due to limited flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. The maximum schedular rating for this condition has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dermatophytosis tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and removal of the uterus are denied.,The Veteran is remanded to obtain a VA examination to assess her lumbar radiculopathy, as well as an updated VA examination for her migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for gout, hypertension, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied as there was no prior claim filed before May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher rating during the period from November 2, 2017 to January 1, 2019.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder.,A rating of 30 percent for CAD was granted effective February 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of right foot osteoarthritis is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of evaluating his lumbar spine DDD as it was not fully addressed in the previous examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee disability (status post ACL reconstruction), and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patellae was granted. The appeals for other conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's upper back condition, diagnosed as a cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.