Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.,Further development is required to obtain an adequate medical examination and assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability is granted as it is at least in part caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of status post right knee medial meniscectomy.,Service connection for skin cancer and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity degenerative arthritis, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded for a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected lumbar spine disability and his current left hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and he is granted SMC from March 30, 2020. The TDIU claim prior to March 30, 2020, is dismissed as moot.

The reduction in the disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with IVDS at L3 and L4 from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 12, 2018, was improper; restoration of the Veteran's 20 percent disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, which includes acquired pes cavus with degenerative arthritis, hallux valgus, and hammertoes, has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The evidence does not show actual loss of use of the feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current low back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The VA will also obtain updated treatment records, conduct TERA examinations, and schedule further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's right and left knee lateral instability disorders are now rated as 20 percent disabling for the duration of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew their claims for various disabilities, including patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, right knee instability, left knee disability, skin condition, and back injury. As a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's right and left feet were rated at 10% initially, but the Board has determined that they more closely align with a severe foot injury warranting an initial 30% rating.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2018.

The Veteran's current left hand disability, including a fracture of the second metacarpal with arthritis, is related to an in-service injury and has been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders and cervical spine DDD are remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to October 28, 2019 is dismissed. The Board has remanded issues regarding ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his cervical spine disability and OSA. Service connection for the cervical spine disability remains on appeal, as does a request for an increased rating. The service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD also needs further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and left knee strain. The right shoulder disorder claim is denied.