Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip arthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left foot condition, and skin condition of bilateral feet has been granted.,An effective date earlier than March 16, 2015, is not warranted for the award of NSC pension benefits with SMP.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic right knee disorder and TDIU due to the lack of evidence showing a chronic right knee disorder related to active service, and because the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea based on the Veteran's credible testimony of in-service injuries and persistence of symptoms since service.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are found to be causally linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 3, 2015 to June 6, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia is remanded due to the lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension since November 22, 2022. The claim for an increased rating based on meniscus condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted, while claims for allergic rhinitis, right eye condition, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, back injury, left knee disability, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The issue of service connection for left shoulder disability, other than left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 30, 2013.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2006 to February 7, 2017 and is now granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if she has unfavorable ankylosis of her spine, including the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 13, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent after that date has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to a lack of VA examiners' CVs, as well as scheduling issues with previous examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied an increased rating from June 4, 2015 to July 12, 2022.,The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied an increased rating from July 12, 2022 forward.,The Veteran's Lumbosacral Strain with Degenerative Arthritis, Spondylosis, and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) was denied an increased rating from December 28, 2016 to September 9, 2022.,The Veteran's Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy was denied an increased rating from September 9, 2022 forward.,The Veteran's Right Knee Meniscus Tear/Repair and Residual Osteoarthritis was denied an increased rating from November 1, 2013 to June 27, 2022.,The Veteran's Left Knee Meniscus Tear/Repair and Residual Osteoarthritis was denied an increased rating from November 1, 2013 forward.,The Veteran's Left Knee Symptomatic Residuals of Semilunar Cartilage Removal was denied an increased rating from September 9, 2022 forward.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for hallux valgus and osteoarthritis of the left and right first metatarsophalangeal joints have been dismissed as the Veteran timely opted into the modernized appeals process under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board denied service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis, sinus tarsi syndrome of the left foot, and right fifth metatarsal base arthritis (small toe) as not related to active service or secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be causally linked to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of extension and instability, is now rated at 10 percent for the period prior to May 13, 2022, and at 30 percent thereafter. The dislocated semilunar cartilage condition is also rated at 20 percent effective from May 13, 2022.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the Veteran's current need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs regular assistance with activities of daily living, including dressing, feeding, and attending to personal hygiene.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed disabilities, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and unspecified autoimmune disorder, which he contends are related to exposure to ionizing radiation at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's right hand index finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2015 to April 25, 2017 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted the highest available schedular rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied any higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected digestive conditions are denied any higher rating. The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied any higher rating.