Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to August 18, 2020, for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and prior to March 21, 2022, for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The effective date for service connection was granted on August 18, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for chondrocalcinosis of the right wrist, enlarged prostate, and degenerative arthritis of both knees. Service connection was denied for a left wrist disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each for instability, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted. Higher evaluations are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, foot, hand, and elbow disabilities due to a motorcycle accident in service. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, left hip strain, and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is granted as service-connected, based on in-service onset.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLEs) due to his service-connected back disability is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left ankle disorders, as well as chronic right and left knee disorders, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,For his chronic right shoulder disorder and chronic left shoulder disorder, the Veteran's claims were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial decision.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also granted for a left hand disability but is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is related to his in-service back pain and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including osteoarthritis, finding that it was incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service events and symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for these conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is granted, and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for his right knee scar is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis prior to September 10, 2020, remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a right ankle disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether scoliosis/rotoscoliosis is a congenital defect or disease, and the relationship between in-service complaints and current diagnoses.