Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent effective April 1, 2020 was proper and denied the request for restoration of the original 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with DDD and cervical spondylosis, and left shoulder strain with impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee conditions have been denied. The current ratings assigned do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee instability is restored to a 30 percent rating, effective July 1, 2020. The issue of an initial increased rating above 20 percent for L2-3 and L3-4 DDD with posterior spondylosis with L5-S1 retrolisthesis and lumbosacral strain is dismissed as withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims for left foot disability, migraine headaches, hypertension, and stomach ulcers due to a lack of an adequate etiology opinion. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding whether they are related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome, incontinence, and degenerative arthritis have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will now consider these claims again.

The appellant withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the grant of service connection and increased initial ratings for various nerve conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome status post patellar dislocation is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has worsened, causing increased functional limitation and missed work. The VA examination report is inadequate due to the examiner's inability to objectively test for instability during the June 2018 examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was denied. The effective dates for these conditions were not earlier than January 30, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease of lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for left and right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to consider additional functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use. The Veteran's low back disability may have ankylosis, which requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted. However, her claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective April 15, 2017. The right knee condition secondary to the service-connected left knee conditions and TDIU claims are remanded for further evaluation.