Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder with right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that her injury occurred during active duty and was caused by an in-service event.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 and a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5261, resulting in a combined 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at April 29, 2010.,For the period prior to January 24, 2011, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,From January 24, 2011, through September 10, 2015, the Veteran's condition did not warrant a disability rating higher than 20 percent.,Starting from September 11, 2015, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that the current right ankle degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not caused by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands for a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia due to missed VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms may be related to his service-connected conditions, but further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities are inadequate for purposes of adjudication. The secondary service connection opinions note an association between the Veteran's bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities, and his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, but find no causative relationship has been established. The Board finds this to be conclusory as the examiner has provided no rationale to support these opinions. Moreover, the examiner did not provide an opinion as to whether the claimed bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities have been aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Therefore, remand is warranted for further VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear periods of service and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and considering the appropriate rating criteria for a total left knee replacement.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, finding that the disability began during a period of active duty or active duty for training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an immune disorder, alcohol and drug abuse disorder, and spine disorder (claimed as ankylosis or spondylosis of the spine) have been dismissed. The claim for right hip degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from February 29, 2004 to March 17, 2005.,Effective from February 29, 2004 to March 17, 2005, the Veteran's TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as whether his sleep apnea is related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during service. The claims for higher evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral laminectomy residuals, degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps which are considered to have caused these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and wrist disabilities, including those related to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right and left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis. The examination report is deemed inadequate due to its lack of addressing the Veteran's contentions about in-service injuries.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, specifically the incident when he tripped over a curb in service. The VA examiner found that the condition is not likely due to or caused by his military service.,The Veteran's hepatic steatosis and portal splenic vein and mesenteric vein thrombosis are related to his service at Camp Lejeune, where he was exposed to contaminated water. The VA examiner noted that there were no medical notes for treatment of liver symptoms during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right hip bone graft and its impact on his current hip pain and osteoarthritis.