Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis and his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire period on appeal, with no higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's left hip, left knee, and neck disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition and granted it. The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained an injury playing volleyball during active duty, which led to current diagnoses of meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected left knee disability as of August 1, 2022. Additionally, he is granted SMC at the housebound rate effective from August 1, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot osteoarthritis with calcaneal spurs and bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also granted for non-allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea, both of which had their onset during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 21, 2004 do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board also denied his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance prior to March 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer hearing.

The Veteran's right hip, left hip and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted service connection. His hypertension is also granted as secondary to PTSD. Sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes impingement syndrome and osteoarthritis, has not been found to warrant a higher rating due to the lack of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right lower extremity and left knee disorders, as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent from November 26, 2021. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's foot condition, specifically osteoarthritis of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint and plantar fasciitis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of additional limitation in motion or other symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as bilateral foot disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and determination of the nature and etiology of any right foot disability.

An initial 40 percent rating is granted for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, effective November 22, 2004.,A separate 40 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective May 21, 2013. The claim for a higher initial rating for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current right knee disabilities were not related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative joint disease from the specified dates were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed hip, foot, and low back disorders as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted as service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.