Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to May 6, 2021. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his service-connected lower back disability or knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted, but his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS is rated at a 60 percent rating, but no higher, due to the presence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hand conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 29, 2011.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 9, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from February 9, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to April 26, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include painful scars, torn meniscus, left knee strain with limitation of flexion, left knee strain with limitation of extension, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and compression fractures of T8-T10, status post lumbar fusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding his knee and elbow conditions.

The Veteran's death was not recognized for DIC and death pension benefits due to the marriage occurring too late. The appellant is being remanded to clarify whether she wishes to proceed as a substitute party or solely for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for plantar fasciitis, but the Veteran's right hip disability, left hip disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his right knee disabilities has been denied. His claims for higher evaluations and compensable ratings for his right knee conditions have also been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 6, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for left arm acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and left elbow olecranon bursitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active military service. Service connection was denied for left wrist gouty arthritis due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to secondary service connection. The hernia residuals claim is also remanded for a new VA examination to address limitation of motion. TDIU remains deferred pending further development.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to comply with prior Board remand directives and obtain additional medical opinions for the issues of service connection, rating, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, were denied. Separate noncompensable evaluations have been assigned for limitation of extension motion in the knees since February 25, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service treatment records showed no complaints or abnormalities of the left hand or shoulder during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected skin condition and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not show that he required the regular care or assistance of another person at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred or related to service due to lack of continuity and compensable manifestations within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left ankle injury with degenerative arthritis was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not show ankylosis or its functional equivalent, and the current range of motion measurements were within normal limits.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by marked limitation of motion and osteoarthritis, has been granted a 20% rating effective from March 23, 2011.