Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for iliotibial band syndrome of the bilateral hip and knees have been denied as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is secondary to his service-connected herniated disc, lumbar spondylosis, and bilateral knee disabilities. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records and scheduling an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of spine with coccydynia and coccyx fracture, status post coccygectomy with IVDS was granted a rating of 40 percent from October 1, 2016 until March 13, 2018.

The Board is remanding the claims for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hip osteoarthritis due to outstanding private treatment records from TriCare and a Naval hospital.

The Veteran's increased ratings for radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine effective December 14, 2016.

An effective date of January 23, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted.,Effective dates earlier than June 27, 2016 are denied for the grants of service connection for tension headaches, TBI, tinnitus, mixed anxiety depressive disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,The Veteran's December 31, 2015 claim referenced neurological damage which should have been recognized as claims including TBI and the nerve damage in his bilateral shoulders. However, no head injury nor left shoulder neurological damage was mentioned.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of the right knee, and remanded other issues including ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, residuals of total knee replacements, DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right-hand burn residuals, as well as their impact on his occupational and daily functioning. The claims are not about service connection but rather about rating determinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (claimed as lower lumbar condition), right foot condition, and left foot condition is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (claimed as lower lumbar condition), right foot condition, and left foot condition is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from May 9, 2013. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease (neck) are granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim and service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's back pain related to degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The foot condition of hyperkeratosis and metatarsalgia is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain the Veteran’s complete service treatment records and verify his reported exposure to herbicides during his time in Germany.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right hip synovitis, meralgia paresthetica of the lower extremities, degenerative arthritis with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and chronic headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and major depression have been denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected. The right, low back, and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and back disability (other than degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis) have been granted service connection.,Both conditions are considered to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective October 11, 2001. Effective February 27, 2003, separate ratings of noncompensable and 10 percent are assigned for intermittent bowel incontinence and intermittent bladder incontinence due to low back pain, respectively. Effective November 1, 2014, a 40 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction or any other service-connected conditions. The reduction in disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cubital/carpal tunnel syndromes, ulnar and median nerves, right wrist is found to be improper due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right wrist disabilities are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current severity.