Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for a back disability and a neck disability.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause or aggravate his claimed GERD, dysphagia, or right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. The low back disability is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right foot strain with degenerative arthritis, and left thumb degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service complaints and subsequent diagnoses.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to a 1993 in-service injury and subsequent experiences of carrying rucksacks and heavy lifting related to a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, leading to service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands, OSA, PFB, prostate cancer, right shoulder arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a separate compensable rating for TBI and service connection for right eye disorder were denied. The case was remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his ankle conditions and whether he has a left foot condition related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's left ankle strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis are also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to September 18, 2020, and no higher. The rating will remain at 40 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent since March 16, 2011, and 20 percent from January 27, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent since May 23, 2013, and 20 percent from January 27, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disorder (secondary to service-connected left knee disorder and/or service-connected lumbar spine disorder) and right knee disorder (secondary to service-connected left knee disorder) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, including considering the ameliorative effects of medication. The case will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a lack of recent VA examinations, which may have provided updated information on the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and left hip disability as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the lack of evidence meeting VA standards for hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine disability and multiple joint conditions, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his hearing loss and left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The case is now back for further development and review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to lack of evidence.,An initial rating in excess of 10% for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.