Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities have been granted.,However, the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee patella (status post lateral release), and surgical scars of the left knee (status post arthroscopy) are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations that comply with prior Board instructions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support a direct or secondary service connection. The claim was remanded multiple times due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with chronic lumbar strain, lower back spasm, and IVDS. The Board has requested an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to estimate the Veteran's range of motion during repeated use over time and during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis and left knee degenerative arthritis for further evaluation due to insufficient examinations conducted over 8 years ago.

The Veteran's skin disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective October 11, 2007. The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension have been denied, while his knee disabilities remain under review.,Service connection for the Veteran's left toe condition (gout), diabetes (due to service-connected hypertension), and right knee osteoarthritis with subluxation are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the Veteran's service dates and a need for clarification on her bilateral foot condition. A new VA medical opinion is required to determine the nature, etiology, and relationship of her current foot conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence of CFS or rheumatoid arthritis during the pendency of the claim. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that a separate rating of 10 percent is warranted for left knee instability, but the main issues are related to his left knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine disability, GERD, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for service connection for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied a rating in excess of 50 percent. Ratings for left and right knee conditions are granted, but not in excess of the current assigned ratings. Service connection is established for headaches, residuals from carpal tunnel release on the right wrist, and right wrist scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, claimed as a left arm condition, and for left olecranon spur, claimed as a left elbow condition. The VA is required to obtain the Veteran's STRs and SPRs from his Tennessee Army National Guard service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided a new VA examination to discuss whether his right leg disability (right knee osteoarthritis) is related to service, including earlier surgeries and pre-service treatment. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his back and right knee disabilities due to issues with functional loss during flare-ups and neurological manifestations, as well as inadequate range of motion measurements in a recent VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 21, 2015, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions from the November 2022 VA examiner. Additional addendum opinions are needed regarding the current severity of his back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, including measurements of functional loss during flare-ups or repetitive use over time prior to December 2021.