Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of information about flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn and are dismissed. A TDIU is granted, and SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and left knee strain with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral chondromalacia are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing functional loss and severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied. For the period of March 12, 2015, to February 1, 2016, the Veteran's right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative disc disease with anterior spurring of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these disabilities were incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his left knee osteoarthritis, as well as whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing his bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from December 5, 2016 to May 12, 2023. The rating for his left and right knee strains remains at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his TBI and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to cognitive impairments and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active military service.,Service connection was also granted for sleep apnea, which is considered a separate issue from the neck and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy, have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective September 30, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and dismissed the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease in an October 2023 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was reopened and granted. His right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, right and left foot disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The claims are being returned for additional evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and polyarthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service, including an in-service back strain diagnosis and recurrent back pain.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a right foot disorder is denied. The issues of service connection for calcium deposit on the sciatic nerve and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.