Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, is rated at 20% throughout the appeal period. Separate ratings of 40% for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 20% for left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities in determining whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 9, 2017 for service connection of lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) was denied. A rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted effective July 15, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2016 and from that date are both denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disability, finding that there is not a competent nexus between the osteoarthritis identified in his left hand and the hammer injury sustained in March 1971.

The Veteran's left knee limited flexion is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her disability picture based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes periostitis and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no significant limitation of motion or instability to warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right ankle, and neck conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds entitlement to a TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right leg lumbar radiculopathy have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted, and the claims for sinusitis, cervical spine radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left hand disability, insomnia, and GERD. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disability and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and osteoarthritis due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran is also being remanded for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee lost extension, but denied higher ratings for right knee instability and limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to determine the severity of his left ankle condition, including any related skin conditions. The effective date earlier than March 14, 2017 for service connection remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and extension of a temporary total rating were denied. The low back disability was rated at 20 percent, effective February 20, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability was incurred in service or is otherwise related to his active duty service.