Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has found that the matter must be remanded again for substantial compliance with the previous remand. The Veteran's VA Mountain Home Health Care records from November 2003 to October 2017 are missing, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was granted a 20% rating effective April 25, 2016. The right knee osteoarthritis remains at a 30% rating from June 4, 2018 to June 26, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for compensation and evaluations of various knee and foot conditions, as well as a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA medical treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left foot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The conditions are related to in-service injuries and symptoms.

The Board has found that the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and has ordered further development for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for respiratory and cervical spine disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his low back and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are now pending again due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and an undiagnosed illness (claimed as fatigue). The Veteran's bilateral hand disability other than the right little finger contusion mallet finger is also remanded. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders remains in dispute.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of current diagnosis meeting VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for a right testicle disability, including right hydrocele, related to his active service.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or neurological impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee osteoarthritis due to outstanding VA medical records. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's left elbow degenerative arthritis has been rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available for limitation of flexion. The evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating as it consistently shows flexion and abduction to be 70 degrees or more.

The Board denied service connection for sleep disorder, bilateral feet/left ankle disability, and bilateral hand/wrist disability. The low back disability, residuals of uterine fibroids, total hysterectomy, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, including osteoarthritis and scaphoid fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis, dorsolumbar back pain with degenerative arthritis, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and GERD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than tinea pedis with tinea unguium, to include degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for light sensitivity, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and neck condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability, which includes degenerative arthritis and IVDS, was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right shoulder, bilateral wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports that do not account for the functional impact of flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clinical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at a maximum of 10 percent prior to October 27, 2022, and at a maximum of 40 percent from that date.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve is denied.