Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD other than IVDS with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues due to his withdrawal of those claims. The TDIU claim was also dismissed as there is no evidence that an earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to withdrawal of his claims. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for service-connected left knee meniscal tear, joint osteoarthritis, and an effective date prior to December 14, 2011, for the grant of service connection for right knee meniscal tear, joint osteoarthritis, and right knee anterior cruciate ligament.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions. The issues include PTSD, restless leg syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorders, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise trauma sustained during service. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the right knee degenerative arthritis disease status post arthroscopy claim remains pending due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, peptic ulcer disease, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine spondylosis, right hand osteoarthritis, and left hand osteoarthritis based on chronic disease presumptive service connection due to symptoms that had their onset during service and have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to November 9, 2015. A rating of 20 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective January 30, 2014. The RO also granted increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service occurrences.

The Veteran's disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS were denied, with a rating of 40% assigned as of July 6, 2020. The left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings remain pending as the Board has not granted all of his requested increases. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The evidence does not support a link between any current disorders and his military service.,There is no medical opinion linking either condition to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for COPD with asbestosis prior to June 23, 2014, is denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection for TBI or residuals of TBI and dizziness or peripheral vestibular disorder are both denied.

Compensation for diplopia granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1151. Service connection for cervical spine disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to May 20, 2020 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For the period from May 20, 2020 onward, the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with shin splints is granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for extension remains denied, and the left knee disability is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee scars was granted. The claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and tinnitus were remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.