Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 21, 2013. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 31, 2021.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for the condition granted. Increased disability ratings and service connection for a back injury are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, effective January 2, 2018. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disability was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.,The Veteran's chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine with degenerative arthritis and deformity of coccyx is rated at 20 percent, effective January 24, 2017 to December 10, 2019. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from December 11, 2019 onwards. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition post total knee replacement due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee condition status post total knee replacement, including osteoarthritis, is at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or greater) the result of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection. The issues of right hip limitation of extension and flexion, as well as the right thigh impairment are all granted initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her active-duty service and has been granted.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, currently rated at 20 percent, requires further evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her active-duty service and has been granted.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, currently rated at 20 percent, requires further evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, as it has manifested as favorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine were granted. The claim for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bilateral knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 7, 2021 and denied for higher ratings. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 14, 2015 and denied for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees is related to service and has been granted as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and bilateral pes planus disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for service-connected left knee, left ankle, right shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back condition due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for his service-connected back disorder is remanded as the examinations are inadequate and further examination is required.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 26, 2017, for service connection of right ankle degenerative arthritis and tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are REMANDED due to lack of VA treatment records from 1995 to 2010. The claims for back disability and right knee disability are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to incomplete VA treatment records, insufficient examination opinions, and need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating for low back disability is denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted with an initial rating of 20 percent.