Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and scars have been remanded due to substantial worsening of symptoms. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current extent and severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his disabilities of the low back, left knee, and right knee due to medical questions remaining and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the claim for nonservice-connected pension from July 8, 2019 and after as moot due to the Veteran's service-connected disability rating. The claim is remanded for additional development regarding pension prior to July 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 26, 2021 and thereafter for right knee instability, and entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee limitation of extension. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and patellar spur was remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent prior to July 1, 2017. Specifically, attempts should be made to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records dated since November 2017 and an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and whether new evidence supports reopening a right ankle fracture claim. The VA will conduct examinations to assess current disability levels and provide an SOC on the reopened issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran and his representative will be provided an additional SSOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's neck pain was first noted years after service and not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided, specifically regarding the severity and functional loss of the Veteran's coccyx fracture residuals with lumbar spine conditions. The VA examiner is requested to provide additional information on these matters.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pains and degenerative arthritis as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected multi-level degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board finds further development is required for the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist arthritis resulted in a disability rating of 30 percent from August 16, 2009 to April 14, 2011 and was increased to 70 percent beginning on April 14, 2011. He is also granted TDIU for the periods specified.

The Board has ordered a new examination for the Veteran's right knee disability and requested additional records, including VA treatment records from Salisbury and Community Care Program records. The Veteran was also asked to submit hard copies of documents contained on a CD and complete a TDIU application form.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims as they are related to service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to increased ratings for various knee and cervical spine conditions due to the submission of new evidence since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent effective from February 1, 2019. The rating reflects a significant improvement in his condition since August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot condition and migraine headaches. The Board will consider whether a higher rating can be granted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.