Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and medical opinions regarding his service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hand tremors, lumbar spine disabilities, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy is currently rated at 50% from October 16, 2018. The right knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy remains at a 10% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (numbness) as secondary to his service-connected left knee injury. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left knee injury was also denied.,The Board found that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his active duty service or to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied service connection on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of contact with the Veteran and incomplete examination records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran's MDD is granted at a 70% rating, but no higher. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical strain (claimed as back condition), and allergic rhinitis. The reasons provided were that these conditions were not filed as separate claims but rather as part of his original claims for back and sinus disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals from penile implant have been granted.

The Veteran's right leg disability, including his symptomatic meniscus removal, is rated at 20 percent since January 4, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for urinary incontinence is denied.,A compensable rating, prior to June 13, 2019, for meralgia paresthetica, right thigh, is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent, effective June 13, 2019, for meralgia paresthetica, right thigh, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The left fifth metacarpal condition and PTSD are granted, but the initial increased ratings for these conditions are denied. Bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and hip osteoarthritis claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the opinions provided regarding the Veteran's back conditions and their relation to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left hip disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the March 28, 2013 rating decision was not timely filed within one year from the date of the letter informing him of the determination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower and upper back problems was granted. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings, initial compensable disability ratings, and service connection claims.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for right hand osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to noise, which led to current hearing loss symptoms, and his reported injuries during service that resulted in current right hand osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and initial disability ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia and hallux valgus left foot, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine are remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran is also remanded for service connection on the merits for a left wrist disability, left shoulder tendinitis, and chest pain.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis and left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis due to incomplete development of medical opinions addressing potential ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and secondary upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to significant changes in his symptoms.