Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were denied higher ratings prior to January 21, 2022, and from that date onwards. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, painful scar -back (secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar disc displacement and failed back syndrome osteoarthritis), and right hand disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is granted as service connected.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 5, 2018 for higher ratings of 20 percent for both right and left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left leg, right leg, lumbar spine, left hip osteoarthritis, or right hip osteoarthritis disabilities. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post subluxation fixation surgery is rated at 40 percent from August 1, 2009 to March 2, 2021 (excluding the temporary 100 percent rating from September 29, 2015 to November 1, 2015).

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability due to unclear information from previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions and service connection for foot conditions, as well as TDIU. Additional development is needed to provide a complete evaluation of these issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected shoulder conditions and fibula fracture were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2022 VA opinion.

The Veteran's restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and depression are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it likely due to his military service, including parachute jumps. However, there is no evidence linking his left knee disability to service.,For the hernia and TBI residuals, the Veteran's claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that led to his current disability.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for left foot disability prior to October 12, 2021 is granted. A higher rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence supported only a 40 percent rating from November 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo (dizziness), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left hand gunshot wound with degenerative arthritis, muscle groups VII and VIII due to inadequate examination reports.