Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear mixed hearing loss, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left quadriceps/ left knee disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and a separate compensable rating for instability since September 29, 2022 has been granted. The Veteran's left knee scar and gland scar have not met the criteria for additional ratings.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma and increased rating for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated based on its range of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the remand was not adequately addressed and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since January 14, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right feet, neuritis of the left and right feet, and neoplasm cysts of the left and right feet have been granted. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to June 25, 2014, did not render him unemployable due to the combined rating of 50% which does not meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction in the rating assigned for hypothyroidism, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder with rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted. TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than hypothyroidism was granted effective from February 23, 2015 to September 19, 2019, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 23, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spurring and spondylosis with degenerative arthritis was rated at 20 percent, effective June 22, 2016. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to functional impairment caused by pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disorder did not originate in service or within one year of discharge. The Board concluded there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for plantar fasciitis is denied as the highest schedular rating has been assigned. The Board finds that his symptoms are fully addressed by the current rating criteria and do not warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis left knee and his claim for service connection for skin condition have been dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined 20 percent, effective December 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to the grant of maximum ratings for his service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination. The effective date claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.