Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to lack of pursuit.,Service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to military service.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition, but the appeal remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, and therefore, these matters are being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional evidence has been added to the record and requests a remand for further review of these claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for consideration.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, effective October 29, 2015. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was initially granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 19, 2023 and later increased to 50 percent beginning on that date.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was initially granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 19, 2023 and later increased to 50 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and an effective date prior to April 10, 2006, was denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met due to lack of an informal or formal claim filed before April 10, 2006. For the period from May 4, 2021, forward, a rating of 40 percent is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of left ankle disability. Service connection was granted for right shoulder and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease all had their respective ratings either denied or not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and sleep apnea were denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims. As such, all issues on appeal are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected left varicocele, due to incomplete records and need for clarification of etiology. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability due to inadequate examination findings, specifically missing range of motion measurements in a December 2021 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate reasons and bases in prior decisions, including failure to consider instability and provide proper range of motion testing. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left thumb condition and anxiety disorder, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to Extra-Schedular Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine) have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial employment consistent with his educational background and work history. Therefore, a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability for the period beginning August 22, 2008 is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,Service connection for congestive heart failure with ventricular arrhythmia, heart block, valvular heart disease, supraventricular arrhythmia, and hypertensive heart disease is granted based on the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative changes with osteophyte formation and left knee osteochondroma with degenerative arthritis prior to specific dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for right lower sciatic radiculopathy, but not for other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to toxic substances. Increased ratings were denied for right ear hearing loss, left knee anterior cruciate ligament partial tear, left knee instability, right fibula fracture (claimed as right ankle condition), and degenerative arthritis of the spine.