Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints with lumbar spondylosis, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development of the record. The issues have been returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder and TDIU due to his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether her service-connected psychiatric disability may be a contributing factor. The Board also finds that evaluations for her ankle, hip, and back disabilities need to be remanded as well.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and a thoracolumbar spine sprain are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis, is not related to service. The evidence does not support a link between his current condition and any in-service injury or incident.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a neck disability, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for status post lateral meniscus tear of the right knee with degenerative arthritis, and a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a current numeric designation of Level III.,Service connection for right knee pain and left knee pain is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing private treatment records. The Veteran's left knee condition is being reviewed for service connection, secondary effect of his right knee disability, aggravation by his right knee disability, and whether it began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals of groin surgery) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a retrospective examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for right hip strain is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for lumbar strain/spasm prior to May 25, 2022 is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis/lumbar disability from May 25, 2022 is rated at 40%. The effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy is set at October 10, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to November 26, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's PTSD/MDD alone qualifies for a grant of TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The left ankle sprain rating has been restored to 20 percent effective October 27, 2014.

The Veteran's right elbow osteoarthritis with bursitis is currently rated at 10% for painful limitation of extension and a separate 10% rating since September 14, 2020, for painful limitation of flexion. The left knee disability remains remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a combined-effects examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 11, 2018. Effective from July 11, 2018, the Veteran is now entitled to a rating of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current back and stomach conditions and his military service. The missing medical records will be obtained, and a new VA examination will be conducted to assess whether these conditions are related to service.