Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to conflicting findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to December 3, 2019 remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, joint pain (claimed as polyarthritis), and low back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are MUCMIs.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 50% rating as of July 24, 2018. The remaining issues on appeal (left shoulder condition, right shoulder labral tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right knee condition, muscle strain of the bilateral arms, thighs, and calves, reactive airway disease with asthma, and IBS) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease was denied. The rating before December 1, 2022, is still at 10 percent, while the rating since December 1, 2022, is now at 40 percent.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cystic kidney disease is denied.,His rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent, as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, service connection for various foot conditions, and hallux valgus were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are not related to the appellant.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's left foot disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation, subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis with ganglion cyst, left ankle was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left leg nerve disorders, as well as his skin cancer and respiratory disorder (asthma), are related to service. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms since service, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus due to a failure to ensure an adequate examination was rendered.

Service connection is granted for a musculoskeletal foot disability other than pes planus, including metatarsalgia with metatarsal phalangeal arthritis, hallux valgus, calcaneal spurs, and multiple metatarsus adductus.,Service connection is denied for pes planus. Secondary service connection for neuropathic pain of the bilateral feet is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing VA Form 21-4142.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, low back, and left foot conditions have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are pending and need further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded. The SMC claim is also remanded due to the Veteran's reported loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence to assess the severity of the appellant's left elbow disabilities, including range of motion measurements and whether pain on movement results in loss of range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee degenerative arthritis, meniscal tear is being remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination. The examiner will assess the current severity and provide information on whether a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are granted on a direct basis.,The Veteran's left hip condition is also granted on a direct basis.