Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities have been denied. The current ratings of 10 percent are considered appropriate based on the limited range of motion demonstrated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left hip due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide an estimate of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left hand, right hand, and knee conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating prior to July 16, 2020 and denied for ratings in excess of 20 percent thereafter. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 20 percent rating prior to November 7, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hand degenerative arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal of the ratings assigned for his lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left and right knee osteoarthritis has been dismissed as the award of a TDIU effective March 2, 2012 satisfies the Veteran's appeals.

The Veteran's reduction in rating for lumbar spine disability from 20% to 10% is restored, and her claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness in the lower lip and jaw, increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to in-service incidents and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and service. The case is now pending with a request for an addendum opinion from the clinician who provided the June 2022 DBQ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative arthritis. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries are consistent with his service and that he likely developed post-traumatic arthritis after an injury in 1976. The decision is based on resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU prior to February 10, 2019 was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, jaw disability, GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The records will be sought to provide more information on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and potential issues with pre-existing conditions. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip, back, and right knee disabilities. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 20, 2011 for the grants of service connection for spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis, residuals of a left knee injury, postoperative with degenerative joint disease (arthritis), and residuals of a right knee injury, postoperative with degenerative joint disease (arthritis).