Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues including accrued benefits, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to pending requests for substitution and other unresolved claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to August 1, 2019 and for separate ratings for bowel/bladder disabilities associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities and TDIU prior to October 1, 2019 are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy ratings have been restored to their effective dates, with the exception of a higher rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy which is not an issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle dislocation and left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis have been dismissed as the issues are moot due to prior Board decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings and service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee, right knee degenerative arthritis have been rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The Board found no evidence to warrant increased ratings under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran reported constant pain in his knees with flare-ups that limit activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension have been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, TBI, and tinnitus. The effective date for hypertension was set at April 12, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. The appeal for service connection of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an orthopedist regarding whether his low back disability is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability should be remanded due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay contentions regarding his symptoms and aggravation by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome are rated at 10 percent each, effective April 16, 2021. The Veteran is denied higher ratings for these conditions.,Diabetes mellitus secondary to service-connected back and knee disabilities remains under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected knee disabilities, including evaluations and compensation for total arthroplasty of the left and right knees, as well as meniscal tears. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly address these claims.,The Veteran was previously granted certain ratings for his knee conditions but now seeks further evaluation or compensation based on ongoing symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to September 15, 2015. The claim is now pending for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions and records to address service connection claims, rating determinations, and other issues. The Board will consider the evidence and make a decision on these matters.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip disability, finding that his current condition did not manifest during or within one year after active duty and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and her military service.