Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right leg sciatic radiculopathy, and right leg meralgia paresthetica (neurological disability associated with the groin).,There is no evidence of any neurological disability until a March 2007 EMG revealed diagnoses of right leg sciatic radiculopathy at the L5-S1 vertebrae and right leg meralgia paresthetica.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee conditions and scars is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is now rated at 30 percent, effective from August 23, 2011. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to December 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examinations and needs to provide new VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (back) conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar and sacroiliac arthritis, which is confirmed by radiographic imaging, is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical records and an inadequate VA opinion, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for updated VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but may be aggravated by his lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability. The rating for DJD/DDD lumbar spine needs clarification due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms of back pain during his deployment in Saudi Arabia and these symptoms have persisted since then.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not considered secondary to service-connected lymphatic lymphoma.,Service connection for DJD of the left knee is granted as it is caused by service-connected lymphatic lymphoma. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left elbow is also granted under the same reasoning.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, specifically a need for a new examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's hip disabilities, including limitation of extension and flexion, as well as instability, have been granted increased disability ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of flexion of the leg.,The criteria for a higher disability rating are not met for the period after January 27, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot metatarsalgia with arthritis, which he contends is due to his service-connected left foot metatarsalgia and bilateral ankle psoriatic arthritis. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip osteoarthritis, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to the nature of his military activities during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain updated VA treatment records and readjudicate the claims for right hip joint replacement, right hip osteoarthritis limitation of abduction, right hip osteoarthritis limitation of flexion, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right knee, left knee, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as his PTSD alone already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular disability rating. The SMC claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the requirements of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).