Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for right and left foot conditions (pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hammertoe, and degenerative arthritis) on a direct basis. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral hip conditions (coxa magna and osteoarthritis) on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including right hip posttraumatic osteoarthritis and right shoulder limitation of flexion, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is also being remanded for an examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, which may be related to service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of November 7, 2002 for service-connected spondylolisthesis and radiculopathy are granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 15, 2015. The Board found that the disability picture more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, warranting a 20 percent rating. A higher rating is denied for any period prior to September 15, 2015 and after January 28, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during a qualifying period of active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, and higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran's left foot disability with massive tissue loss, severed heel pad and recurrent dislocated metatarsal joint has a combined rating in excess of 40 percent for disabilities below the knee, precluding any additional rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee conditions, as well as for right hip arthritis. The Veteran is also being asked to provide any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development and new medical opinions being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the grant of TDIU for the entire appeal period.,The reduction in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 to 10 percent, effective February 3, 2017, was improper and has been restored.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling prior to October 23, 2019, for IHD was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to December 11, 2019, for IHD was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 10, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent disabling for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected back disability was granted, with a 40 percent rating from February 10, 2012.,Other issues on appeal were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for the issues of a rating higher than 10 percent for a low back disability, a compensable rating for a low back scar, a compensable rating for a right knee scar, and service connection for asthma. An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, was granted for an anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee strain, but remanded to consider additional separate and higher ratings due to recent revisions in the applicable rating criteria. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased rating for his osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities other than his already service-connected torn medial meniscus were reopened. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both knees, which established direct service connection. Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's left knee disability as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and a temporary total rating based on convalescence after arthroscopic surgery was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or a temporary total rating.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition. The case is now remanded for further development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability was denied, and his TDIU claim has been dismissed as moot due to the combined 100 percent schedular disability rating based on all service-connected disabilities.