Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent since February 16, 2021. The Board found no evidence of additional functional loss or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 12, 2019.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but his death was not the result of a condition that he had been rated as totally disabled for at least 10 years prior to his death. The appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet, lumbosacral strain, gastrointestinal condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his spinal conditions, particularly during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is being reviewed for service connection as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims. The first is for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow, and the second is for a hydrocele that may be secondary to residuals of left inguinal hernia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities to include osteoarthritis. The kidney disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus tear prior to partial replacement, is rated at 20% from March 26, 2014, to June 8, 2015. The post-replacement residuals are now rated at 30%, encompassing previous separate ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including the strenuous physical activities he reported.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 30, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of multiple joints due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service, lay statements, and symptoms during service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand are granted as secondary to his service-connected right hand condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, depressive disorder, and secondary polysubstance use disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and calcaneal arthritis is denied as there was no evidence of worsening in the one-year prior look-back period.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were dismissed as they did not meet the procedural requirements under the modernized review system (AMA).

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist process prior to November 15, 2014.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability is inadequate. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted a rating of 40 percent effective February 28, 2020. Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for popping, locking, and effusion. He also has a 10 percent rating for instability. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted, effective from June 9, 2015.