Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a back injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS is currently rated at 40 percent since November 9, 2020. The Board denied higher ratings for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis as they are not in compliance with previous orders. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to address deficiencies noted in prior decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and manifested within one year of separation.,Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current sleep apnea claim was also denied as there was no diagnosis found in the medical records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for back conditions is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the January 1985 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus grants the petition. However, the case is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to issues with previous examinations and a need for new evidence.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's sclerosis of the left sacroiliac joint disability, but has remanded issues related to fecal and urinary incontinence as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the pre-amended or amended VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and a bilateral foot disability to include metatarsalgia due to outstanding medical opinions and additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent since June 27, 2013. Prior to that date, his disability was characterized by pain and limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine (30 degrees or less), but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from December 10, 2021, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's muscle group injuries and right hip arthritis, specifically whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis and limitation of motion of the left knee was denied. However, he received an initial evaluation of 20 percent for instability of the left knee prior to July 21, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. The reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine effective December 7, 2016 was proper.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability. The claim will be readjudicated after any additional development.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected right knee sprain. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension remains in a similar state.