Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. The claim is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction and restored a 20% disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis. The appeal regarding chronic kidney disease aggravated by hypertension, left lower extremity sensory deficit, right lower extremity sensory deficit, and TDIU prior to February 22, 2016 is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's neck disability. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to new evidence associated with his case, including VA examination reports on traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches. The issues are inextricably intertwined as a decision on one could significantly impact the other.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and degenerative arthritis due to a lack of recent medical evidence and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shoulder and knee conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already granted.

The Veteran's back disability, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, had its onset in service. The claim is granted as the evidence supports a nexus between active service and the currently diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 21, 2011 and from June 21, 2011 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding direct service connection for an arthritic condition, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's testimony about joint pain shortly after service and exposure to bacterial infections is not adequately addressed in the current medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy associated with her service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates due to new evidence received after the issuance of the SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot condition and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions addressing direct service connection, aggravation by service-connected conditions, and whether current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back disorder, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The back disorder is considered to be directly related to service due to a motor vehicle accident during service. Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not presumed as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service. Hearing loss is presumed due to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip arthritis due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and the need for further evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 8, 2015 for service connection of left knee condition was denied.,Service connection for right knee condition diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for instability of the left knee effective March 20, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and is being remanded.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of left lower extremity sciatica is denied.,The reduction in disability rating for ischemic heart disease from 60 to 30 percent was proper and remains valid.,A compensable disability rating for COPD prior to July 19, 2018 is denied. A 10% disability rating for COPD from July 19, 2018 is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee, elbow, and hand disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psoriasis condition.