Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient opinions regarding onset during service, within one year after separation, or related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for headache syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, hypertension, and a TDIU prior to April 13, 2018. Additional evidence is needed in some cases.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for SMC under section 1114(o) and awarded two separate ratings of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including spondylosis and spinal stenosis with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The TDIU issue has also been remanded.

A rating of 20 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating of 10 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is denied.,A rating of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,Restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for status post right ankle reconstruction with residual scar is granted, effective February 21, 2014.,Restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for lateral collateral ligament instability, left knee is granted, effective February 21, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar disc disease and radiculopathy to the left leg due to his withdrawal during a hearing. The issue of service connection for a urethral stricture (claimed as a urology condition) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for muscle weakness and muscular cramps, finding that these symptoms are attributable to already service-connected conditions. The claims of service connection for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The claims for fibromuscular dysplasia, TBI, and unspecified anxiety disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work history since at least February 12, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability, claimed as secondary to the right knee disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability receives a 20 percent rating, but no higher. Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy each receive a 10 percent rating. The right middle finger fracture receives a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities due to incomplete examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with additional opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including those related to joint pains, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI residuals, psoriasis, and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran's attorney requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee and prostate cancer disabilities. The first issue is about a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis, the second concerns restoring a 100% rating for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction after it was reduced, and the third is an increased rating claim for prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for his back disability, service connection for sleep apnea, and secondary service connection for his neck disability due to his back disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, effective from February 2015 when service connection was established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence regarding the current state of the Veteran's disability, specifically his low back pain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the severity of his condition and whether he should be granted higher ratings or separate ratings for any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records.,The Board is requesting that the Veteran be scheduled for updated VA examinations to determine the current severity of his musculoskeletal, bowel, and bladder symptomatology.