Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service-connected due to being proximately due to his service connected alcohol use disorder. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder evaluation in excess of 30 percent, TDIU, traumatic brain injury (TBI), vertigo secondary to TBI, degenerative arthritis or DDD of the lumbar spine, right elbow condition, and right ankle condition are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for left knee disability and service connection for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his current conditions and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 40 percent rating for spur with limitation of flexion lateral epicondylitis, right elbow osteoarthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent rating for supination and pronation impairment medial epicondylitis was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the RO to issue an SOC addressing his claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction. The appeals remain in the Legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for his service-connected left foot and left ankle disabilities is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.,The Veteran must be provided an updated VA examination to evaluate the severity of his left foot and left ankle disabilities in light of the identified records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar strain and thoracolumbar scoliosis was granted effective February 14, 2018.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as not having arisen prior to April 12, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective September 11, 2023.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cherry hemangioma are granted.,Cherry hemangioma is characterized as a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology.

The Veteran's cam deformity of the right hip with acetabular impingement and osteoarthritis of the right hip are service-connected as they were aggravated by his service-connected left hip and bilateral ankle disabilities. Effective May 13, 2013, he is eligible for TDIU due to these combined disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic polyneuropathy, finding it is related to the Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals, multiple myeloma, and osteoarthritis. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for sinusitis, left and right knee disabilities. Specifically, VA treatment records from A.F.C. need to be obtained, and a new examination by an appropriate clinician must be scheduled.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various finger disabilities is being remanded to allow for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied as he failed to cooperate by not attending a required VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar strain is remanded due to a lack of information regarding flare-ups and functional loss during such episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, elbow, and hand and finger disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.,The VA examinations provided clear opinions that the diagnosed conditions are not directly linked to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and osteoarthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 29, 2018 and 40 percent thereafter. The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.