Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, effective May 1, 2019. The claims for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability and 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating may be warranted based on functional loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis were denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right thumb fracture and degenerative arthritis due to inadequate discussion regarding the adequacy of the VA Hand and Finger examination, as well as unclear findings on symptoms of numbness, coldness, and tingling.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his hip disability is a congenital defect or disease, and if so, whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to evaluate her service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as to consider the revised rating criteria effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran is also requested to provide a legible copy of an October 2011 VA knee examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 10 percent prior to March 27, 2019, for her back disability (lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition did not manifest during active service or within one year of active service and was less likely related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, disc disease, and sciatica, is service-connected. The evidence supports a finding that this condition likely began during his military service.

The Veteran's hip disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his PTSD, are granted with initial ratings of 20 percent each. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, neck disability, and radiculopathy in the upper extremities have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back, neck and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right wrist tendonitis and degenerative arthritis/joint disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction of the lumbar spine.,Both conditions were rated under direct service connection criteria, as there is no indication that they are related to a specific exposure or presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his diagnosed musculoskeletal conditions and their relation to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, CAD, GERD, bilateral CTS, knee osteoarthritis, shoulder strain, lumbar spine disability, OSA, and skin disorder.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with osteoarthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS as these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.