Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his employment from January 2016 to March 2019 was considered marginal due to a work-related motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee replacement and right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The SMC issue is remanded as it cannot be adjudicated until the initial ratings and effective dates are assigned.

The Veteran's right hip disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with moderate spondylosis (claimed as back injury) due to a lack of evidence showing that his current condition began during or was related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current right knee disorders and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including its relationship to service.

Effective dates of July 1, 2015, have been granted for the initial ratings of 50% for bilateral plantar fasciitis, 10% for thoracic spine degenerative joint disease, and 10% for right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis and synovitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and granted a 20 percent rating for lateral instability as of September 11, 2017. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on painful motion with noncompensable limitation of motion.

An effective date of March 26, 2015 was granted for a 10 percent disability rating for asthma.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began in or was related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis with instability of the right knee are all granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted service connection.,However, chronic fatigue syndrome, right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left ankle disorder remain pending for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected periodontal disease associated with dental trauma #7 to #11 and degenerative arthritis, right little finger are not rated higher due to the current severity of these conditions.,Entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right hand is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings, lack of information regarding flare-ups, and need for additional medical records. The Veteran is also requested to provide private medical records related to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's surviving spouse withdrew the claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression, diabetes mellitus type II, diverticulitis, elevated cholesterol, Parkinsonism, gall stones, hypertension, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, osteoarthritis, and pancytopenia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder degenerative arthritis is denied.,The claims for higher ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded, as further development is needed to determine the extent of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and initial ratings for her left knee and hip disabilities was denied. She received a single, increased 50 percent rating for left knee ACL repair with arthritis and ankylosis effective October 21, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability was granted from the same date. Initial ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent were granted for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and abduction respectively, both effective October 21, 2016. The Veteran received a 70 percent rating for left hip osteoarthritis with ankylosis from November 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran is to be provided another VA examination to address his headaches, and a new evaluation of his lumbar spine disability. These matters will be returned for further appellate consideration.