Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted at 40 percent effective September 3, 2013, to September 4, 2018. The Veteran's increased ratings for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, low back strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, ventral hernia, allergic rhinitis, and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral dry eye syndrome was granted.,Service connection was not established for the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis with status post-surgical repair of medial meniscus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty or any period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to April 1, 2021. From April 1, 2021 onward, the evidence is at least in approximate balance and the benefit of the doubt will be afforded to the Veteran.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was increased to 40 percent effective December 7, 2021. The claimant is not entitled to a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow degenerative arthritis and bursitis due to a lack of adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of his current right elbow disabilities. The Veteran contends that his current right elbow conditions are related to in-service right elbow bursitis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left hip degenerative arthritis (limitation of rotation of the thigh) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for left hip degenerative arthritis (flexion of thigh) from February 12, 2019 to July 27, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes resulting in total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is rated at 100% from March 4, 2021. His right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 30% effective April 9, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis was granted a 100% disability rating from March 4, 2021.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was granted a 30% disability rating from April 9, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is rated at 100% from March 4, 2021. His right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 30% effective April 9, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider functional loss caused by pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is as likely as not related to his in-service service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C due to new evidence presented in his September 2022 Appellate brief.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The rating for the lumbar spine condition prior to August 1, 2022 is still denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis left elbow conditions due to outstanding VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, left knee meniscus tear and Baker's cyst with degenerative changes, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left and right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve paralysis disabilities. Obesity was considered an intermediate step in this progression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The left knee disability rating is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected neck and headache disabilities, as previous evaluations did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding functional impairment.