Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent Fort Bragg medical records and for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected and granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease and disc extrusions is not rated higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and SSA disability records. The VA examiner will also be asked to assess the current severity of his left knee disability, including any flare-ups or functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 19, 2019, as he was found to be employed full-time and not unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, arterial hypertension, bilateral cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, and osteoarthritis as the persuasive evidence did not show a relationship to service.

From December 30, 2019 to September 28, 2022, the Veteran's low back disability and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities were granted increased ratings.,Prior to December 30, 2019, the Veteran's low back disability was not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and cervical spine spondylosis. The Veteran's contentions that his conditions are related to service have not been substantiated by new evidence.

The Board has ordered another medical opinion due to the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran claims service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Board finds that remand is necessary to provide an adequate medical opinion considering the Veteran's reports of chronicity of symptoms since service and statements from his niece, stepdaughter, and former chiropractor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical evidence and VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including a scar. The TDIU claim will be further developed in conjunction with an examination to assess the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative discogenic disease of the lumbar spine, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis have been granted.,The Board found that the evidence established a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and muscle strain of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his forward flexion is no less than 40 degrees throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for resection of ribs five, six, and seven. The issue of service connection for resection of the right scapula as secondary to her rib disability is remanded. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the talo-fibular and talo-navicular joint with chronic left ankle strain, including entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and restoration of a rating have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability was granted. The claim of service connection for a left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, which is not secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities, was denied.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the year 2014 is granted because his service-connected left knee brace caused excessive wear and tear to his outer garments.